Wontumi’s Galamsey Trial Ends, Court Sets July 3 for Judgment

The illegal mining case against Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, and two co-accused has closed, with the High Court scheduling judgment for July 3, 2026.

Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai confirmed the development Wednesday in a social media post. He said the defense called its fifth and final witness, who was discharged from the witness box, bringing the entire trial to an end.

“The Accused Persons in the case – THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS – called their 5th and last witness today. The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgment,” Srem-Sai wrote.

Chairman Wontumi and his company have been on trial over claims he permitted unlawful mining on his Samreboi concession without proper authorization. Prosecutors allege that Henry Okum carried out mining there and used proceeds from the activity to reclaim portions of the degraded land.

The State argued that evidence tied Wontumi to Okum’s operations and raised questions about the lack of documentation showing payment for reclamation, suggesting mineral rights may have been improperly transferred.

The defense countered that under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and L.I. 2176, a leaseholder can hire service providers without ceding mineral rights.

The High Court had earlier given the defense until May 28 to file additional witnesses, warning that failure to do so would close their case. With the last witness now heard, the matter moves to final judgment.

*Background*: The case is one of several high-profile prosecutions tied to government’s clampdown on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.