Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, argues that the Attorney-General's recent stance supports a 'no case' submission in his client's conviction. Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received a 20-year imprisonment sentence for illegal mining activities. The Accra High Court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, equivalent to GHS 120,000.
Mr. Atta Akyea stated on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, July 25, that the prosecution failed to provide strong enough evidence against his client. He maintained that the trial judge should have upheld the defence's submission of no case. A submission of no case is a legal argument requesting acquittal because the prosecution's evidence does not require a defence response. This legal development casts doubt on the foundation of the conviction.
This case highlights the ongoing national debate surrounding illegal mining, known locally as 'galamsey', and the government's efforts to combat it. High-profile convictions like Chairman Wontumi's are often seen as crucial tests of the justice system's resolve. The legal arguments presented by Mr. Atta Akyea introduce a new layer of complexity to this significant economic and environmental issue. Ghana's mining sector contributes substantially to its GDP, but illegal operations cause widespread environmental degradation and revenue loss.
Mr. Atta Akyea explicitly stated, "What is even more serious is that the Attorney-General is now conceding that the judge should have upheld the submission of no case." He questioned the direct evidence linking Chairman Wontumi to the alleged offenses. The lawyer further contended that the prosecution did not produce independently strong evidence to sustain a conviction. He suggested that relying on accomplice evidence requires careful scrutiny and corroboration.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, delivered the sentence on Monday, July 20, 2026. This conviction followed one of Ghana's most closely watched illegal mining prosecutions. The court ruled that Chairman Wontumi would face an additional three years’ imprisonment if he failed to pay the GHS 120,000 fine. This case has drawn considerable public attention due to the defendant's political prominence.
The implications of the Attorney-General's alleged concession are significant for the ongoing legal process. It could potentially influence future appeals or reviews of the judgment. Legal experts will closely watch how this argument affects the perception of justice in high-profile cases. The outcome of this legal challenge could set a precedent for how evidence, particularly accomplice testimony, is treated in similar prosecutions. This situation underscores the critical need for robust and verifiable evidence in all legal proceedings.