Lawyers for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an application seeking his release on bail pending the determination of his appeal against his 20-year prison sentence.
The application, filed by Zoe, Akyea & Co. on August 6, 2026, argues that Wontumi has already lodged an appeal challenging both his conviction and the 20-year custodial sentence imposed by the High Court.
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Wontumi is currently serving the sentence after being convicted in connection with illegal mining activities at Samreboi.
His lawyers argued that granting him bail would allow him to work closely with his legal team in preparing his appeal. They said his current confinement at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons was making it difficult for him to consult and confer adequately with his lawyers.
In the application, the lawyers asked the High Court to admit their client to bail pending the outcome of the appeal.
They further argued that Wontumi was a person of good character and had sufficient means to meet any surety conditions imposed by the court.
“Prior to his conviction, the Applicant had never had any brush with the law,” the lawyers stated, adding that he would not interfere with the course of justice or commit another offence if granted bail.
They also assured the court that Wontumi was prepared to comply with any reasonable conditions attached to his release.
Wontumi’s legal team previously filed a Notice of Appeal on July 28, 2026, challenging the judgment delivered by the High Court (Criminal Division 4), Accra, on July 20, 2026.
The appeal argues that the convictions were unreasonable and could not be supported by the evidence presented during the trial.
His lawyers also contend that the trial judge did not properly consider the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended. They argue that the combined effect of Sections 13(8) and 46 of the Act supports their client’s innocence.
The bail application will now be considered by the court pending the determination of the appeal.
