The Accra High Court has ordered Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in an alleged illegal mining case at Samreboi after dismissing his attempt to halt the trial.
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 order follows a ruling by Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay, who earlier rejected a no case submission filed by the defence. The judge held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Mr Boasiako, his company Akonta Mining and a co accused, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large.
The accused persons are facing allegations of undertaking mining operations on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the approval of the sector minister. They are also accused of permitting other individuals to mine on the concession without authorisation and facilitating those activities.
Lawyers for Mr Boasiako had argued that the prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of the charges after cross examination of four witnesses. The court, however, disagreed, noting that the evidence on record raises a rebuttable presumption of wrongdoing.
With the dismissal of the no case submission, the trial now moves to the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are expected to present their case in response to the allegations.
Metrotvonline
