The High Court in Accra has, on its own motion, reviewed and varied the bail conditions of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
He is currently standing trial for allegedly permitting illegal mining activities on his Samreboi concession without lawful authorisation.
The Court announced the variation before hearing the day’s substantive matters. It explained that although it had initially directed the case investigator to supervise aspects of the bail — including filing periodic reports confirming that the accused remained within the jurisdiction — the investigator had consistently failed to comply with that order.
Citing the persistent failure as a threat to proper judicial oversight, the judge said it had become necessary for the Court to intervene. However, rather than imposing stricter conditions or remanding the accused, the Court opted to modify the reporting structure.
Under the new arrangement, Chairman Wontumi must now report directly to the Registrar of the Court. The Registrar will then be responsible for submitting the required returns to the judge.
The Court noted that the adjustment was intended to ensure effective supervision of the bail conditions while safeguarding the accused’s right to a fair trial and avoiding reliance on an investigator who had not fulfilled assigned duties.
Chairman Wontumi and two others are facing charges under Section 14 of the Minerals and Mining Act, which prohibits mining without lawful authority.
, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.){kind=link}