The Accra High Court has instructed counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to formally request additional disclosures from the State in his ongoing criminal trial. The court also directed the defence to provide the names and addresses of any witnesses they intend to call if a prima facie case is established against the accused.
The orders followed submissions by Senior State Attorney Ms Priscilla Lartey, who informed the court that the State had already filed its disclosures and made the documents available for the Case Management Conference.
Defence counsel, Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi, explained that the defence plans to rely on certain documents not included in the State’s filings. “It is our prayer that since the documents we intend to rely on are not part of the disclosures, we will file a motion seeking your orders directing the prosecution to make those disclosures,” he told the court.
Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party and Director of Akonta Mining Company Limited, is facing allegations of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation in Samreboi, Western Region. His co-director, Kwame Antwi, currently at large, has been charged with assigning mineral rights without approval. Akonta Mining Company Limited has also been joined to the suit.
Chairman Wontumi has pleaded not guilty and was granted GH₵15 million bail with three sureties by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 8, 2025.
The case highlights the importance of full disclosure in Ghana’s judicial process, ensuring both the prosecution and defence have access to relevant evidence before trial proceedings continue.
