Lawyer for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says his client is likely to meet his bail conditions and be released from police custody by the close of today, October 8.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi explained that although the court granted bail on Tuesday, the process could not be completed before the close of the day.
“We made an application for bail on Tuesday, and the court granted it with three sureties, two to be justified. We are processing the application, and by God’s grace, we have had people to sign the bail bond and stand as sureties,” he said.
Mr Appiah-Kubi added that efforts are currently underway to finalise the necessary inspections and verifications required by the court and police.
“It was late after the court proceedings, so we couldn’t complete the process with the police and the court registrar. This morning, the police prosecutor, ASP Godwin, called to inform me that his men are ready to inspect the properties of the sureties so we can expedite the process,” he explained.
He commended both the police and the court registrar for their professionalism and cooperation, saying their proactive approach had helped to move the process forward.
“I really appreciate the effort of the police prosecutor for calling me to inform me they are ready. This is rare. I must also commend the court registrar, who is coincidentally also called Gordon, for his effort to expedite the process,” he said.
Mr Appiah-Kubi expressed optimism that all formalities would be concluded soon, allowing for Chairman Wontumi’s release.
“I am very hopeful the processes will be finalised today, and Wontumi will be released,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi was granted a ₵25 million bail by the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court on Tuesday, October 7, in connection with two separate cases relating to alleged illegal mining activities.
The cases involve Akonta Mining Limited, a company linked to him, and reported mining operations in the Nimri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
He has been charged with multiple counts, including undertaking illegal mining operations and causing unlawful damage to the environment.
The embattled politician has also been placed on a stop list, barring him from travelling outside Ghana pending the resolution of his cases.
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