The High Court has withdrawn the bench warrant it issued earlier for the arrest of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The decision followed his appearance in court shortly after the warrant was issued.

The warrant, issued around 9:40 a.m., remained active until Wontumi and his legal team arrived after 10 a.m. to plead with the court for its withdrawal. It was officially rescinded at 11:39 a.m.

When the case was recalled, counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Andy Appiah-Kubi, explained that he had informed his client to appear at 10 a.m. under the impression that proceedings were scheduled for a case management conference at that time.

The presiding judge, while rescinding the arrest order, cautioned the NPP chairman to be punctual in future appearances.

Chairman Wontumi is standing trial alongside Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining Limited, and the company itself. They are facing charges of assigning mineral rights without lawful authorisation.