Wontumi’s sentence lacked evidence – NPP to appeal Chairman Wontumi’s conviction in Akonta mining case
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the conviction of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case, arguing that the High Court’s decision was not supported by sufficient evidence.
Addressing journalists after an emergency meeting of the party’s leadership, the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, announced that the party would challenge the ruling through the appellate process.
Mr Kodua said that although the NPP respects the independence and authority of the judiciary, it also believes that citizens have a constitutional right to question court decisions and seek legal redress where they consider a judgment to be erroneous.
“We address you today with profound disappointment, but also with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy and the pursuit of justice. While we respect the authority of our courts, respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgment that is fundamentally flawed,” he said.
The General Secretary described Chairman Wontumi’s conviction as politically motivated, asserting that the prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of the offences for which he was convicted.
“Indeed, we consider the decision of the court as amounting to political imprisonment. Chairman Wontumi is a political prisoner,” Mr Kodua stated.
According to him, there was no evidence before the court to establish that Chairman Wontumi had unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral concession, which he described as the central issue in the case.
He argued that it was undisputed throughout the trial that Chairman Wontumi had lawfully acquired the mining concession, with the key legal question being whether he had transferred or assigned it in breach of the law.
Mr Kodua further maintained that the prosecution failed to produce evidence showing that the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman had transferred or assigned his mineral rights, insisting that the conviction was based on assumptions rather than proof beyond reasonable doubt.
“It is our considered view that no evidence was adduced before the court establishing any such assignment or transfer of mineral rights by Chairman Wontumi. Instead, the conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt. That is why we firmly believe that his conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned on appeal,” he added.
On Monday, July 20, the High Court in Accra sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of two counts after finding him guilty in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. The custodial sentences are to run concurrently.
In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units on Chairman Wontumi for each count. Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.
