An Accra High Court has dismissed a no-case submission filed by the New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, ordering him to open his defence in an alleged illegal mining case.
Delivering her ruling on Monday, March 16, Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman and his company, Akonta Mining.
The court said the evidence presented by the State was sufficient to require Mr Boasiako and the other accused person, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, to respond to the charges levelled against them.
Mr Boasiako and his company are standing trial for allegedly undertaking mining activities on a concession at Samreboi without the consent of the sector minister.
They are also accused of permitting two individuals to conduct mining operations on the concession without the necessary authority and facilitating those activities.
Lawyers for Mr Boasiako had filed a submission of no case, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the charges after calling four witnesses who were subsequently cross-examined.
However, the State, led by Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Srem-Sai, opposed the application and urged the court to dismiss it.
The prosecution argued that it had presented credible, admissible and legally sufficient evidence touching on every essential element of the offences.
According to the State, Mr Boasiako admitted in both his investigation caution statement and charge statement that he granted the second prosecution witness access to the concession.
The prosecution further maintained that the accused person did not merely allow statutory breaches to occur but actively supported the operations.
“He financially aligned himself with the unlawful operations, granted operational access, and provided logistical support without the required approvals,” the State submitted.
The court agreed with the prosecution’s position, ruling that there was sufficient evidence on record to require the accused persons to mount a defence.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to Mr Boasiako’s prominent role in the NPP and the broader national debate over illegal mining, widely referred to as galamsey.
With the no-case submission dismissed, the trial will now proceed to the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused will present their case regarding the alleged mining activities at Samreboi.
