The prosecution has closed its case against former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.
The Republic closed its case at the Accra Criminal Court after calling three witnesses, including two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to the prosecution, the two former employees testified about Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s alleged involvement in the company’s mining operations within the forest reserve.
The police detective also tendered drone footage, other audiovisual materials and official communications as evidence to support the testimonies of the former employees.
The prosecution further indicated that the accused persons had sought, during cross-examination, to distance themselves from mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court for permission to recall the first prosecution witness for further cross-examination.
The court directed the defence to file a formal application by Friday, October 30, seeking the witness’s recall.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the court to hear the application.
The allegations against Mr Antwi-Boasiako and the other accused persons remain before the court and have yet to be determined.
