Court rejects Wontumi team’s bid for extra disclosures in mining case

Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have failed in an attempt to secure additional disclosures from state prosecutors in his ongoing criminal trial.

The Accra High Court on Monday, 8 December 2025, dismissed an application in which the defence argued that the requested documents were critical to the preparation of their case.

The move for further disclosures had been flagged earlier on 25 November 2025, when lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi informed the court of the team’s intention to formally apply. The matter was then adjourned to allow the application to be filed and argued.

At the resumed hearing, both sides presented their submissions, with Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem Sai, urging the court to throw out the request. After considering the arguments, presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, declined the application and struck it out.

Speaking to reporters after proceedings, Mr Appiah-Kubi said the ruling confirmed the defence’s belief that the prosecution did not possess the materials they had asked for. He indicated that the team was fully satisfied with the outcome and regarded the decision as consistent with their expectations.

Chairman Wontumi is currently facing criminal charges over alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining laws.

In October, the Office of the Attorney-General filed a six-count charge sheet at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) against him, together with co-accused person Kwame Antwi and Akonta Mining Company Limited, his firm.

The charges stem from alleged unauthorised mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region and are grounded in provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).