The Accra High Court has ordered Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in an ongoing illegal mining case, dismissing his application to halt proceedings.
At a sitting on Thursday, April 2, 2026, the court directed Mr. Boasiako to file a witness statement and respond to the charges brought against him.
The ruling follows an earlier decision by Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay, who rejected a no-case submission by the defence, stating that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for the accused to answer the allegations.
The court noted that the evidence presented so far establishes a prima facie case against Mr. Boasiako, his company Akonta Mining, and a co-accused, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large.
The accused face charges related to alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region. Prosecutors allege that the operations were conducted without approval from the sector minister and that unauthorised individuals were allowed to mine on the site.
Mr. Boasiako’s lawyers argued that the prosecution failed to prove essential elements of the case, even after cross-examining four witnesses. The court, however, dismissed this claim, stating that the evidence raises a rebuttable presumption of wrongdoing.
With the no-case submission struck out, the case now moves to the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are expected to respond to the allegations.
The court has adjourned proceedings to April 20, 2026, for case management.
ALSO READ:
