New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has visited the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison following his conviction in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
The visit, which took place on Wednesday, July 22, came shortly after the High Court in Accra sentenced Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.
According to Akbar Yussif Khomeini, a spokesperson for Dr Bawumia, the visit was part of measures by the NPP leadership to respond to the court’s decision, which the party has described as unfair and politically motivated.
Speaking on Citi FM, Khomeini said Dr Bawumia considered it important to personally engage with the Ashanti Regional Chairman and assure him of the party’s commitment as legal processes continue.
“The matter involved his party’s Regional Chairman, so it was only appropriate that he organises the machinery of the party, first of all, to publicly respond to the judgment of the High Court and to mobilise the best legal brains in the party to support the lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, to mount an appeal against the conviction,” he said.
He added that Dr Bawumia used the opportunity to encourage Wontumi and assure him that the party would continue to support him through all lawful avenues available.
“He took advantage of the opportunity to encourage him to stay strong and to be aware that the whole party is solidly behind him and that the party will do everything lawful to ensure that he gets out of this situation,” Khomeini stated.
Khomeini further disclosed that Wontumi remained confident during the meeting and maintained his innocence, insisting that he had never participated in illegal mining activities.
“He maintained that he’s never engaged in galamsey… and he’s confident that at the end of the day, he would be exonerated,” he said.
NPP prepares appeal
The NPP spokesperson also revealed that Wontumi’s legal team had prepared a notice of appeal outlining about 20 grounds for challenging the conviction.
He said Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Wontumi, was expected to file the appeal after returning to Ghana.
Wontumi was convicted by the High Court in Accra on Monday, July 20, after being found guilty on two counts related to illegal mining activities involving Akonta Mining Limited.
The court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on each count against Wontumi, while Akonta Mining Limited was fined 15,000 penalty units after also being convicted on two counts.
Before delivering its judgment, the court dismissed an application by the defence seeking a referral of constitutional questions raised during the trial to the Supreme Court.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that the application lacked merit and proceeded to deliver the judgment.
Following the ruling, Atta Akyea criticised the decision, arguing that the constitutional matters should have been referred to the Supreme Court, and confirmed that the defence would challenge the judgment through an appeal.
