Accra, Oct. 15, GNA – An Accra High Court will on November 4 rule on an application for bail pending appeal filed by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, a former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Boasiako is serving a 20-year prison sentence for facilitating illegal mining on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
His counsel, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, urged the court to grant him bail, arguing that he was not a flight risk and that his appeal had reasonable prospects of success.
He said Boasiako’s passport was in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), disputing the prosecution’s claim that he might abscond if released.
Mr Atta Akyea also argued that bail would enable his client to attend to two other cases pending against him before separate High Courts.
He said the prosecution had not argued in its affidavit in opposition that the appeal was frivolous or lacked prospects of success, adding that his client would return to prison if the appeal failed.
“We are anxious to have the appeal heard,” he said, in response to the court’s question about the status of the appeal.
He said the defence was following up with the court registry to obtain the necessary records.
Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General, opposed the application, arguing that Boasiako had not demonstrated the exceptional circumstances required for bail pending appeal.
He said the 20-year sentence and the two other cases pending against Boasiako raised concerns about granting him bail.
He also drew the court’s attention to a bench warrant issued against the applicant during the trial.
Boasiako was sentenced on July 20, 2026, by the court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, after being found guilty of facilitating unlicensed mining on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Some senior NPP members attended Thursday’s hearing.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe