An Accra High Court is expected to deliver its ruling today, November 4, 2026, on a bail application filed by former AshCourt to Rule on Chairman Wontumi’s Bail Application Today
An Accra High Court is expected to deliver its ruling today, November 4, 2026, on a bail application filed by former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The application seeks his release on bail pending the determination of an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence for six illegal mining-related offences.
The court fixed November 4 as the ruling date after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution on October 15, 2026.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant him bail, arguing that he is not a flight risk, complied with all previous bail conditions before his conviction and has strong grounds to challenge the judgment.
The defence further maintains that his appeal contains 19 grounds with reasonable prospects of success.
However, the State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, arguing that Wontumi poses a flight risk and has failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances required for bail following conviction.
Background to the 20-year prison sentence
On July 20, 2026, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay convicted Chairman Wontumi on six charges relating to illegal mining activities.
He was found guilty of assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating unlicensed mining operations, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
The offences were linked to the operations of Akonta Mining Company Limited on the Samreboi concession within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
The court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. Failure to pay the fine attracts an additional three-year prison term, to run concurrently.
Akonta Mining Company Limited was also fined by the court.
Defence and prosecution disagree over bail
The defence insists that Wontumi should be granted bail while his appeal is pending, maintaining that his previous compliance with bail conditions and the grounds of appeal justify his release.
The prosecution, however, contends that his conviction and the circumstances surrounding the case do not meet the exceptional threshold required for bail pending appeal.
The court’s ruling today will determine whether he will be released on bail while the appellate process continues.
Other criminal proceedings pending
Beyond the illegal mining conviction, Chairman Wontumi is also facing a separate case involving Ghana Exim Bank.
He is accused, alongside Wontumi Farms Limited and another person, of allegedly obtaining more than GH¢14.3 million between 2018 and 2022 under false pretences for a farming project.
The prosecution alleges that forged documents were used in the transactions, resulting in financial losses exceeding GH¢30 million.
The charges include defrauding by false pretences, uttering forged documents, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
The outcome of the bail application is expected to be a significant development in the legal proceedings involving the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman.anti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The application seeks his release on bail pending the determination of an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence for six illegal mining-related offences.
The court fixed November 4 as the ruling date after hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution on October 15, 2026.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team is asking the court to grant him bail, arguing that he is not a flight risk, complied with all previous bail conditions before his conviction and has strong grounds to challenge the judgment.
The defence further maintains that his appeal contains 19 grounds with reasonable prospects of success.
However, the State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, arguing that Wontumi poses a flight risk and has failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances required for bail following conviction.
Background to the 20-year prison sentence
On July 20, 2026, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay convicted Chairman Wontumi on six charges relating to illegal mining activities.
He was found guilty of assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating unlicensed mining operations, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
The offences were linked to the operations of Akonta Mining Company Limited on the Samreboi concession within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
The court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment and imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢120,000. Failure to pay the fine attracts an additional three-year prison term, to run concurrently.
Akonta Mining Company Limited was also fined by the court.
Defence and prosecution disagree over bail
The defence insists that Wontumi should be granted bail while his appeal is pending, maintaining that his previous compliance with bail conditions and the grounds of appeal justify his release.
The prosecution, however, contends that his conviction and the circumstances surrounding the case do not meet the exceptional threshold required for bail pending appeal.
The court’s ruling today will determine whether he will be released on bail while the appellate process continues.
Other criminal proceedings pending
Beyond the illegal mining conviction, Chairman Wontumi is also facing a separate case involving Ghana Exim Bank.
He is accused, alongside Wontumi Farms Limited and another person, of allegedly obtaining more than GH¢14.3 million between 2018 and 2022 under false pretences for a farming project.
The prosecution alleges that forged documents were used in the transactions, resulting in financial losses exceeding GH¢30 million.
The charges include defrauding by false pretences, uttering forged documents, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
The outcome of the bail application is expected to be a significant development in the legal proceedings involving the former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman.
