The legal team of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is set to file an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence and apply for bail pending the determination of the case.
Lead counsel for Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea, disclosed that the defence team is finalising the appeal process and will immediately pursue a bail application once the appeal is filed.
Mr Atta Akyea said the legal team remains confident that the Court of Appeal will consider the circumstances of the case and grant his client bail while the appeal proceedings continue.
“That’s when we will do that,” he said when asked whether the defence would seek bail pending appeal.
The former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament expressed optimism that the appellate court would apply the law fairly and allow Wontumi to remain out of custody as he challenges the conviction.
“I’m hoping that the judges should apply the law and then we could get him out and contest the appeal,” he stated.
Explaining the grounds of the planned appeal, Mr Atta Akyea argued that the conviction and sentence would not stand if the appellate court rules in favour of his client.
“The appeal is simply saying, look, if the appeal should succeed, that is it,” he said.
The lawyer also questioned the severity of the sentence handed to Wontumi, arguing that the High Court should have considered the minimum punishment prescribed under the law, particularly because his client was a first-time offender.
“I thought they would even consider the minimum, which is 15,” Mr Atta Akyea argued.
Background
The Accra High Court sentenced Bernard Antwi-Boasiako to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty in connection with illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.
The conviction was linked to activities involving Akonta Mining Limited, where prosecutors argued that illegal mining operations were carried out on the company’s concession without the required ministerial approval.
The prosecution maintained that the company facilitated mining activities in an area where permission had not been granted, leading to the charges against Wontumi.
Following the judgment, the defence indicated its intention to challenge both the conviction and the length of the sentence through the appellate process.
