The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party and owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known Chairman Wontumi, who is standing trial with his company for allegedly permitting two people to undertake mining operations on his concession without obtaining ministerial approval, has been ordered to report to the High Court Registrar.
The trial judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, varied the bail conditions, which originally required the accused to report to the case investigator on the first and third Monday of every month.
According to the judge, the case investigator had failed to comply with the orders of the court, which required him to keep a record file of returns regarding Chairman Womtumi being in the jurisdiction.
As a result, the court has ordered the Registrar of the Court to perform all the duties the investigator was asked to perform under Chairman Wontumi’s bail conditions.
Motion
Meanwhile, the defence filed a motion requesting further disclosures from the prosecution to adequately prepare their defense.
They argued that essential documents were not provided, which are necessary for their case.
However, the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai opposed the motion, stating that the defence failed to demonstrate how the requested materials were exculpatory and argued that the prosecution did not have the requested documents in its possession.
After reviewing the application and supporting affidavits, the court dismissed the defence’s request for further disclosures, confirming that the prosecution could not procure the documents requested.
“There is no disclosure of justification for these documents. Secondly, the prosecution has indicated that they do not have these documents and are unable to procure same. Accordingly, the application is dismissed,” the judge ruled.
Background
Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing two counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and two counts of purposely facilitating an unlicenced mining operation at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Also in court with them is Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, who has also been charged with two counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicenced mining operation.
Antwi is currently on the run.
Chairman Womtumi has pleaded not guilty to the charges at the Criminal Division of the High Court and is currently on bail in the sum GH¢15,000,000.
