The High Court will on November 4, 2026, decide whether to grant bail to former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as he appeals his jail term.
Presiding Judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, fixed the date after hearing arguments from both sides on Thursday, October 15.
Counsel for Wontumi, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, pleaded with the court to release his client pending the determination of his appeal.
The state, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the request.
Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of authorising mining operations on his Samreboi concession without authorisation from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
His legal team is asking for temporary freedom to enable him to adequately prepare for his appeal and to take part in two other criminal trials he is currently facing.
Mr. Atta Akyea told the court his client is not a flight risk, pointing out that he respected all bail terms imposed on him prior to his conviction.
He further argued that the 19 grounds filed in the appeal have strong prospects of success and should merit bail.
But Dr. Srem-Sai countered that the grounds cited are routine arguments any convicted person could raise and do not meet the legal threshold of exceptional circumstances required for bail after conviction.
He added that Wontumi’s good behavior during trial alone cannot guarantee he will not abscond, especially since the possibility of facing additional consecutive jail terms in his other cases could motivate him to flee.
The Deputy Attorney General also referenced a video in which Wontumi’s former lawyer allegedly claimed his client intended to run over security officers to evade arrest, as further reason to deny him bail.
Justice Kocuvie-Tay, who handed down the 20-year sentence in July, enquired about the status of the appeal.
Mr. Atta Akyea replied that processes are ongoing to compile the full record of proceedings for transmission to the Court of Appeal.The court will deliver its ruling on November 4.
