Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an application at the High Court seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence.
The application, filed by his legal representatives, Zoe, Akyea and Co., is asking the court to grant the NPP chairman temporary release from custody while the Court of Appeal hears his case. Wontumi is currently serving his sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison following his conviction over illegal mining activities at Samreboi.
In the motion before the High Court, the legal team argued that their client should be admitted to bail while the appeal process is ongoing.
“Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (‘Applicant’) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet,” portions of the application stated.
The application forms part of the latest legal efforts by Wontumi’s lawyers to secure his temporary release after his conviction. If granted, he would remain out of prison while the Court of Appeal considers the merits of his appeal.
The High Court is expected to determine whether the application satisfies the legal requirements for bail pending appeal.
Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, at Samreboi. The case has drawn widespread public and political attention and remains one of Ghana’s most high-profile illegal mining prosecutions in recent years.
, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an application at the High Court seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence.){kind=link}