Wontumi’s defence given until October 30 to seek recall of prosecution witness

The High Court has directed lawyers for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to file their application to recall a prosecution witness for further cross-examination by Friday, October 30.

Justice Ruby Aryeetey gave the directive after the defence, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated its intention to seek the recall of the first prosecution witness, a former General Manager of Akonta Mining, to answer further questions.

The court ordered the defence to file the motion by October 30 and serve it on the prosecution via WhatsApp. The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, is expected to respond by November 3, with the application scheduled to be heard on November 4.

The development followed the prosecution’s announcement that it had closed its case after the defence concluded cross-examination of the third prosecution witness, Investigator Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Akpo Glover.

The prosecution has indicated that it will oppose the application if the defence proceeds with the motion.

The case involves Akonta Mining Company Limited (A1), Chairman Wontumi (A2), Kwame Antwi (A3), and Kwadwo Owusu Bempah (A5), who is at large. They have been charged with various offences linked to alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include undertaking mining operations without a licence.

Akonta Mining Company Limited is also facing charges of felling trees and erecting buildings within a forest reserve without written authorisation from the competent forest authority.

Chairman Wontumi is separately facing two counts of abetting the unauthorised felling of trees in a forest reserve, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), as amended by the Forest Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 624), and Section 20(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The accused persons have been granted bail as the trial continues.