The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has directed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in an ongoing illegal mining case.
The order was issued by the presiding judge, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, after the court dismissed a submission of no case filed by Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The ruling means the accused must now present their defence against the charges brought by the prosecution.
Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited are facing six counts of allegedly allowing Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to carry out mining activities on the company’s concession without first securing approval from the sector minister.
They are also accused of facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
Both the NPP regional chairman and the company have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the court’s decision, the accused have been given seven days to inform the court of how they intend to proceed with their defence.
They are expected to indicate whether they will remain silent and allow the court to decide the case based solely on the prosecution’s evidence, or whether Wontumi will testify in person and submit witness statements from individuals he plans to call in his defence.
