Although Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Samreboi illegal mining case, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains embroiled in two other criminal proceedings.
The outstanding cases relate to alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and an alleged GH¢30 million fraud involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The unresolved matters mean Wontumi’s legal challenges are far from over despite his recent conviction.
Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve case
One of the pending cases concerns allegations that Wontumi and Akonta Mining engaged in unlawful mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, a protected forest area.
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According to the Attorney General, Akonta Mining and some of its officials are accused of violating Ghana’s mining and forestry laws by carrying out mining activities inside the reserve without the required legal authorization.
The case is separate from the Samreboi prosecution and is still before the courts, with no final judgment yet delivered.
EXIM Bank fraud trial
Chairman Wontumi is also facing trial at the High Court in Accra over an alleged GH¢30 million financial loss involving a loan facility obtained from the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for an agricultural project.
Court proceedings in the matter have yet to move into a full trial, as prosecutors and the defense are currently engaged in plea bargain discussions. The case has been adjourned to allow both sides to continue negotiations before the court receives an update.
The prosecution alleges that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, together with Wontumi Farms Limited and another accused person, fraudulently secured more than GH¢14.3 million in loans from EXIM Bank between 2018 and 2022 by making false representations about a proposed farming venture.
Prosecutors further claim that forged documents were submitted in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million loan, resulting in financial losses exceeding GH¢30 million.
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The charges in the case include defrauding by false pretenses, using forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.
Earlier this month, both the prosecution and defense informed the court that plea bargain negotiations were still ongoing and requested additional time to conclude discussions. The court subsequently adjourned the matter pending an update on whether an agreement would be reached or the case would proceed to trial.
Samreboi illegal mining case
Chairman Wontumi’s latest conviction followed a ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay of the Criminal Division of the High Court in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
The court found him guilty of assigning mineral rights without obtaining the required ministerial approval and deliberately facilitating illegal mining activities in violation of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.
He was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment and fined 10,000 penalty units. The court further ruled that failure to pay the fine would attract an additional three-year prison term, although the custodial sentences would run concurrently.
Following the judgment, Wontumi was transferred from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison to begin serving his sentence.
Despite the conclusion of the Samreboi case, the two remaining criminal proceedings ensure that the NPP regional chairman’s legal battles are set to continue.