The Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra on Monday (20 July) convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, on all six counts in the Samreboi illegal mining case and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Wontumi on charges of assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
According to the prosecution, Wontumi, as owner and controlling director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, allowed Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to carry out mining activities on the company’s concession in 2024 without obtaining the minister’s prior written approval.
The charges also included allegations that Akonta Mining Company Limited and its director, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, facilitated the same unlawful mining activities. Counts Four, Five and Six accused Wontumi, Kwame Antwi and the company, respectively, of purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to Section 99(2)(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
Below is a copy of the full judgment:
