Lawyer for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea, has filed an application at the High Court seeking bail pending appeal for his client, who is currently serving a prison sentence following his conviction in an illegal mining case.
The Notice of Motion, filed on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant, is asking the court to admit Mr Boasiako to bail pending the determination of his appeal. The application was filed pursuant to Section 96(1) of Act 30 and Section 33(1) of Act 459.
According to the court document, Mr Boasiako is currently being held at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison, and his lawyers are praying the court for an order granting him bail while the appeal process continues.
The High Court is expected to hear the application on August 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
The bail application follows Mr Boasiako’s conviction by the High Court in Accra in relation to illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining Company Limited’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The court found him guilty of offences including assigning mineral rights without the approval of the Minister responsible for Lands and Natural Resources and purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay sentenced Mr Boasiako to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour and imposed fines after the court held that the prosecution had established its case against him. Akonta Mining Company Limited, the third accused in the case, was also convicted and fined, while the second accused person, Kwame Antwi, remains at large.
The application was filed by Samuel Atta Akyea of Zoe/Akyea & Co. on behalf of Bernard Antwi Boasiako and Akonta Mining Company Limited.