Wontumi faces second illegal mining trial

Barely 48 hours after being sentenced to 20 years in prison in the Samreboi illegal mining case, NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has appeared before the Accra High Court in another ongoing galamsey-related trial.

Wontumi was transported from prison custody to court on Tuesday in a prison vehicle and escorted by officers into the courtroom. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he entered through a rear access point as proceedings began.

The hearing relates to the Tano Nimiri case, a separate prosecution linked to alleged illegal mining activities. The case is distinct from the Samreboi matter in which both Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited were recently convicted over offences involving unlawful mining operations and the unauthorised transfer of mineral rights.

His court appearance comes as legal battles continue to mount following last week’s landmark conviction, which sparked intense political debate and prompted the New Patriotic Party to signal plans to challenge the ruling.

With Wontumi now serving a custodial sentence, attention has shifted to the outcome of the Tano Nimiri proceedings, where the court is expected to hear further arguments as the case moves forward.