Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has made his first appearance before the Accra High Court in connection with the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case while serving a 20-year prison sentence in a separate illegal mining conviction.
Escorted to court by prison officers after arriving in a prison bus, Wontumi appeared as proceedings continued in the case involving allegations of illegal mining activities. The hearing is separate from the Samreboi case, in which he and Akonta Mining Limited were convicted on multiple counts relating to the unlawful assignment of mineral rights and facilitating illegal mining in a protected forest reserve.
The latest court appearance comes amid heightened public and political interest following his recent conviction, with the New Patriotic Party indicating its intention to pursue legal avenues to challenge aspects of the judgment. The Accra High Court is expected to continue hearing the Tano Nimiri case as proceedings progress.