Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an application at the High Court seeking bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal against his conviction and sentence.
The application, filed by his legal representatives, Zoe, Akyea and Co., is asking the court to grant Wontumi temporary release from custody while the Court of Appeal considers his appeal.
Chairman Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted over illegal mining activities at Samreboi. His legal team argues that he should be granted bail while the appellate process is ongoing.
In the motion filed before the High Court, the lawyers are requesting an order admitting their client to bail pending the outcome of the appeal, stating that the application is supported by the grounds outlined in an accompanying affidavit.
The court filing reads: “Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (“Applicant”) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet.”
The application marks the latest legal effort by Wontumi’s lawyers to secure his temporary freedom following his conviction. If granted, the bail would allow the NPP regional chairman to remain out of prison while his appeal is heard by the Court of Appeal.
The High Court is expected to consider the application and determine whether the applicant has satisfied the legal requirements for bail pending appeal.
Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of engaging in illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, at Samreboi. His conviction has attracted significant public and political attention, with the case becoming one of the most high-profile prosecutions involving illegal mining in recent years.
