Wontumi Appeals Conviction, Cites Unreasonable Judgment and Jurisdictional Error

The Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, *Bernard Antwi Bosiako alias Chairman Wontumi, and Akonta Mining Company Limited* have filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging their conviction and sentence by the High Court.

Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, Esq., filed the appeal on *July 28, 2026* at the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, Accra. Suit No. CR/0004/2026.

The appeal is against the judgment delivered on *20th July 2026* by the High Court (Criminal Division '4') presided over by *Her Ladyship Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, J.* The 1st and 3rd Accused persons are appealing the _entire judgment of the Court_. The Republic is the Respondent. The 2nd Accused, *Kwame Antwi*, is listed as "At Large".

According to the Notice of Appeal and details released by counsel, over *20 grounds of appeal* have been raised. The principal grounds include:

1. *Unreasonable conviction*: That the convictions are unreasonable and cannot be supported having regard to the evidence adduced at trial.

2. *Misinterpretation of Mining Law*: That the trial judge did not read the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended as a whole. Counsel contends sections 13(8) and 46 are exculpatory and consistent with the Appellants' innocence.

3. *Jurisdictional issue*: That the trial Judge usurped the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in flagrant contravention of Article 130(1)(a) and (2) of the 1992 Constitution in interpreting Article 19(11) against provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.

4. *Evidence challenge*: That the court wrongly relied on the testimony of PW2, who the defence describes as a self-confessed illegal miner and participant in the alleged enterprise.

5. *Circumstantial evidence*: That the circumstantial evidence did not irresistibly point to guilt and that reasonable alternative inferences exist.

The Appellants are seeking reliefs to be set out at the hearing of the appeal.

The High Court conviction relates to charges brought against Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited.

The Court of Appeal is yet to set a date for hearing.