Court to decide Wontumi’s bail on November 4

The Accra High Court will on November 4, 2026, decide whether NPP’s former Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, should be granted bail while he appeals his conviction.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay fixed the date after hearing arguments from both sides.

Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year jail term after he was found guilty of allowing mining on his Samreboi concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. He is challenging the conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal and is asking to be released in the meantime.

His lead lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, told the court that bail was necessary to allow Wontumi to prepare his appeal and take part in two other criminal cases pending against him.

He said Wontumi is not a flight risk, pointing to his compliance with earlier bail conditions before his conviction. He also argued that the 19 grounds of appeal raise serious issues with a reasonable chance of success.

The state, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application. He said the grounds of appeal were ordinary and did not amount to the exceptional circumstances required for bail pending appeal.

On flight risk, Dr Srem-Sai said Wontumi’s good conduct during trial alone was not enough assurance that he would not abscond. He added that the prospect of further consecutive prison terms in his other cases could motivate him to flee.

He also referred to a video in which Wontumi’s former lawyer allegedly talked about a plan to run over law enforcement officers to avoid arrest, arguing it supported the state’s opposition.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay, who convicted and sentenced Wontumi in July, asked about the progress of the appeal. Mr Atta Akyea said steps were being taken to compile the records for transmission to the Court of Appeal.

The court then adjourned the matter to November 4 for ruling.