Wontumi’s defence to rely on investigator as ‘star witness’ in Nnimire Forest case

The police investigator in the Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve case has admitted that there is no direct evidence placing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, at the alleged illegal mining site.

Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Akpoh Glover, however, maintained before the Accra High Court that investigations linked Akonta Mining Company Limited to mining activities inside the reserve.

His testimony came during further cross-examination in the trial of Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, and Akonta Mining.

Defence lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi told the court that the defence intended to treat the investigator as its “star witness.”

He said this had become necessary after the State withdrew two of its witnesses.

Detective Chief Inspector Glover told the court that he visited the Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve in July 2025 but did not see Wontumi there.

He also said investigations suggested that Wontumi had not personally been to the forest reserve.

The investigator nevertheless rejected the defence’s position that Akonta Mining had no role in the alleged illegal mining activities.

He said police found equipment at the site which bore markings linked to the company.

The items included a washing plant, an excavator bucket and metal pipe hoses.

He added that a truck found at the site was traced to Mr Owusu Bempah, a former General Manager of Akonta Mining and a prosecution witness.

According to the investigator, Mr Bempah told police during interrogation that he acted in the interest of the company.

The court also heard that other equipment found in the reserve had no identifying marks.

Detective Chief Inspector Glover said the police relied on several materials in building the case, including witness statements, photographs and videos taken by people who had visited the reserve.

He said these materials had already been tendered in evidence.

The investigator denied the suggestion that he merely took over and repeated a report prepared by another officer.

Although he admitted that he did not start the investigation, he said he carried out several investigative activities which shaped the facts presented before the court.

He said the investigation began in October 2022.

On the complainants, the witness confirmed that lawyer Martin Kpebu and Kenneth Ashigbey were listed in the case but said he had not personally met them.

He also confirmed that Wontumi had petitioned the then Western Regional Minister over illegal mining activities in the area.

Detective Chief Inspector Glover told the court that police interviewed several persons, including community leaders in Samreboi, forestry guards at the Nnimire Forest, officials of the Forestry Commission and the Human Resources Manager of Samartex Timber and Plywood Ltd.

He said statements were taken from them, but explained that the decision on which witnesses appear in court is not made by him.

On the state of the forest, the investigator said drone footage of Compartment 161 showed serious destruction.

He said the footage revealed destroyed vegetation, damage to the Tano Nnimire River, pits and heaps of sand.

He described Compartment 161 as the worst affected of four compartments where illegal mining was detected.

The witness said he could not identify the individual illegal miners who were operating in the reserve.

He, however, insisted that the police report did not clear Akonta Mining of wrongdoing.

He said it contained evidence of active mining inside the reserve.

Wontumi and Akonta Mining are facing charges of undertaking mining operations without a licence, felling 300 commercial trees in the Nnimire Forest Reserve and constructing buildings in the reserve without written authorisation from the Forestry Commission.

Wontumi has pleaded not guilty and remains on GH¢10 million bail.

The case has been adjourned to June 16, 2026.