The judge hearing the case in which the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako is standing trial for allegedly permitting two people to undertake mining operations on his company's mining concession without obtaining approval from the sector minister, has issued a strong warning to the accused to be punctual for court proceedings.
That was after Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay rescinded a bench warrant against Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi for not showing up in court when the case was called at 9:30 a.m on Tuesday [Oct 28].
The bench warrant, which was issued at 9:40 am today remained in force until Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers appeared after 10 a.m to plead with the court to rescind the warrant at 11:39 a.m.
When the case was recalled, counsel for Wontumi, Andy Appiah Kubi told the judge that he was under the impression that the case would be called for case management conference at 10 a.m and, as a result, advised his client to show up at 10 a.m.
Kubi: I had the impression the matter will be called at 10. He was on the premises. If there is anything at all, I advised him that the case will be called at 10. Nevertheless that should not be the case.
Justice Kocuvi-Tay interjected, counsel saying, “Your circumstance has nothing to do with his (Chairman Wontumi’s) absence
“At any given time, he must be in court with or without you. The bench warrant is not against you [Kubi], it is against you [Wontumi] so If I give you 9 am and it’s 8:30, he should lay his bed here,” the presiding judge said.
The case has been adjoined to November 4, 2025 at 9 a.m at the Criminal 4 division of the High Court in Accra.
Background
Chairman Wontumi was dragged to the High Court on October 7, 2025.
The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai has filed charges accusing Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited of permitting two people to undertake mining operations on his company's mining concession without obtaining approval from the sector minister.
They have been slapped with 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.
Meanwhile, 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, is currently on the run.
The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently on bail.
Chairman Womtumi has been admitted to bail in the sum GH¢15,000,000 with three sureties.
Writer’s mail: justice.agbenorsi@graphic.com.gh
