The Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, has disclosed that the illegal mining case involving Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, and two co-accused has concluded.
In a social media post on Wednesday, June 3, he said the defendants in THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS presented their fifth and last witness, who was then released from the witness stand.
He noted that this step brought the full trial to a close, with the court now set to hand down its ruling on July 3, 2026. “The Accused Persons in the case – THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS – called their 5th and last witness today.
The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgment,” he wrote.
Chairman Wontumi and his firm have faced trial over claims that he illegally permitted mining operations on his Samreboi concession without the required approval.
Prosecutors claim that one Henry Okum carried out mining on the concession and used earnings from the work to rehabilitate damaged sections of the site. The state had previously contended that evidence tied Wontumi to Okum’s actions, while also raising doubts over the lack of payment records for rehabilitation, which could imply mining rights were effectively assigned.
The defense, however, argued that under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and L.I. 2176, a leaseholder may hire service providers without ceding mineral rights. The High Court had earlier ordered the defense to file extra witnesses by May 28, warning that failure to comply would end their case and shift proceedings to final judgment.
The court has now set July 3, 2026, for judgment in the case.
