The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has described the conviction of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “travesty of justice,” insisting the party will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Addressing the media after the High Court’s decision, Mr. Kodua said the NPP was disappointed by the verdict but remained committed to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, and the judicial process.
“His conviction is full of travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal,” he declared.
According to him, Ghana’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to disagree with judicial decisions and seek redress through the appellate process, stressing that the NPP would exercise that constitutional right.
Mr. Kodua argued that the prosecution failed to present evidence proving that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral rights. He maintained that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than concrete evidence.
He further noted that there was no dispute that Wontumi legally acquired the mining concession, adding that the real issue was whether the concession had been unlawfully transferred or assigned in breach of the law.
The NPP General Secretary also accused the government of selectively pursuing political opponents while allegedly ignoring similar allegations involving some government officials.
He cited claims involving Joseph Yamin, Abanga Yakubu, Mohammed Yakubu, and Oscar Larbi, he lamented the other is a growing trend that John Dramani Mahama’s NDC led administration seeks to shield its own and relentlessly persecuting it’s opponent.
He insisted that justice must be applied fairly and equally.
“The John Mahama-led government may celebrate this conviction as proof of its commitment to fighting illegal mining, but justice cannot be selective,” Mr. Kodua said, urging authorities to investigate all persons implicated in similar matters regardless of political affiliation.
