Wontumi fights on multiple fronts ahead of 3 July judgment day

With judgment set to be delivered in the illegal mining case involving the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as “Chairman Wontumi,” he appears determined to leave no stone unturned in seeking to establish his innocence, even beyond the courtroom.

Through his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, NPP commentators and his own public remarks to anyone willing to listen, he has reportedly expressed regret over his circumstances and a desire to turn over a new leaf and emerge as a changed person; a born-again politician, should matters go in his favour next month.

His lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, fired the first salvo by attempting to create an impression of a rushed trial when he announced his withdrawal from the case shortly after the trial judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, set 3 July 2026 as the date for judgment.

Interestingly, the lawyer left many observers surprised when he disclosed that he remains counsel in another High Court matter involving Mr Antwi-Boasiako, where he is pursuing a plea bargain in connection with an alleged fraud involving a loan obtained from the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).

Secondly, NPP commentators, including Communications Team member Sylvester Tetteh, have also spared no effort in accusing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of having an interest in the case.

According to the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency, the ruling NDC is attempting to influence public perception of Chairman Wontumi’s criminal trial.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Saturday, 13 June, Tetteh argued that comments from some NDC figures suggested they were prematurely predicting the outcome of the case, despite proceedings still being before the court.

He maintained that the judicial process must be allowed to run its full course, cautioning against what he described as premature conclusions and celebrations over a possible conviction before judgment is delivered.

“It looks as if the NDC is the arbiter in the Wontumi case because they seem to know that he will be convicted. As things stand now, if a date is set for judgment, you do not yet know the outcome, yet you are celebrating,” he stated.

However, beyond the lawyer and party commentators, it was the President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, who offered insight into what Chairman Wontumi may be going through. Cudjoe disclosed that he had an unplanned lunch meeting with the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, although he did not reveal the date or venue.

In a post shared on his X page on Saturday, 13 June 2026, Cudjoe, a civil society advocate, revealed that the meeting, which took place about three weeks earlier, focused on Ghana’s political environment, governance challenges and Wontumi’s personal political journey.

Cudjoe described the encounter as unexpectedly revealing and said it offered a different perspective on the NPP regional chairman’s outlook.

“I had lunch with Chairman Wontumi about three weeks ago, and we had a very frank and wide-ranging discussion about Ghana, his political journey, his trials, tribulations and what the future may hold for him politically,” he said.

He added that the conversation altered his perception of Wontumi’s public image.

“I must say I came away genuinely surprised. I was awestruck by the depth of his thinking and how carefully he reflected on the issues we discussed. It was not the loud public version of him that many people are familiar with,” he noted.

Cudjoe further stated that, in private, Wontumi appeared more reflective and strategic about his political role.

“Stripped of all the political noise and the sometimes exaggerated public posture, you could see a man who is clearly thinking deeply about his future and his place in Ghana’s political landscape,” he said.

However, Lawyer Appiah-Kubi has become embroiled in another controversy over his client’s prospect by strongly denying claims that he held discussions with former Vice-President and NPP flagbearer Mahamudu Bawumia regarding the case.

Speaking on Prime Insight on Saturday, 13 June 2026, Appiah-Kubi described the allegations as baseless and unworthy of serious attention, insisting that no such meeting or conversation had taken place.

“I can assure you that this situation has never happened, and those who are talking about it should come out with proof of the event, proof of the location, proof of the time and proof of the deed,” he said.

He rejected suggestions that he had informed Bawumia that securing an acquittal for his client would be impossible, stressing that no one could credibly testify to such a conversation.

“I don’t know if there is anybody who can bear witness to a meeting between myself and the flagbearer, and me telling him that it is impossible to secure an acquittal for my client. It has never happened,” he stated.

Appiah-Kubi also dismissed claims that he had confronted the wife of the NPP flagbearer and exchanged insults with her.

“I saw a video of one of the journalists speaking to the effect that I confronted the wife of the flagbearer and that there were insults exchanged. Nothing of that sort has ever happened. I haven’t even seen the wife of the flagbearer all year, so where are these allegations coming from?” he said.

According to him, public commentary surrounding the case has generated numerous speculations, but he does not consider them worthy of a response.

“Some of those speculations are not worth responding to. I have heard many opinions expressed, but people are entitled to their opinions. By no means are they worthy of a response, so I have not responded to any of them,” he noted.

Appiah-Kubi further argued that the increasing politicisation of court cases had become a matter of concern, adding that attention should remain focused on the legal proceedings rather than unverified claims circulating in the public domain.

He maintained that the facts on record before the court are the only matters deserving public discussion and scrutiny.

The state, meanwhile, has filed a preliminary legal objection in the Criminal Division of the High Court against Mr Appiah-Kubi’s attempt to withdraw from his client’s illegal mining trial.

According to the prosecution, the objection is based on jurisdiction, capacity and legal standing, and argues that the application to withdraw legal services is procedurally improper at this stage of the proceedings.

The motion filed by Mr Appiah-Kubi formally notified the court of his intention to discontinue his representation of Chairman Wontumi in the case involving Akonta Mining Limited and a company director, Kwame Antwi, over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Thursday, 11 June 2026, Appiah-Kubi confirmed that he had submitted an affidavit to the court outlining his reasons for withdrawing from the case, stressing that his decision was not influenced by the anticipated outcome of the trial.

“I have filed a motion to withdraw from the case. My reasons are in the affidavit. I am withdrawing my legal services,” he stated.

He further explained that, in his view, the case had been progressing too quickly and that he was uncomfortable with how it had been handled. He also indicated plans to petition the Ghana Bar Association over the matter.

The Accra High Court has set 3 July 2026 as the date for judgment after both the prosecution and defence closed their cases and submitted their final arguments.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay directed both parties to file their final written submissions by 17 June 2026.

The accused persons face multiple charges, including facilitating unlicensed mining operations and transferring mineral rights without ministerial approval within the Samreboi concession area in the Western Region.

Throughout the proceedings, Chairman Wontumi has remained on bail under conditions that include a GH¢15 million bond, the surrender of his passport and restrictions on foreign travel.

In the second case, Wontumi has requested plea negotiations with the Attorney-General in his ongoing criminal trial over an alleged GH¢14.3 million loan fraud involving EXIM Bank.

Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2022, Wontumi and another accused person, currently at large, obtained more than GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank by false pretences, using Wontumi Farms Limited as the vehicle for the transaction. The charge sheet also includes allegations of forgery and money laundering linked to additional facilities.

The case also involves Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, currently at large as the second accused person, and Wontumi Farms Limited, the third accused. They face four charges: defrauding by false pretence, forgery, money laundering and causing financial loss to a public institution.

Prosecutors allege that although the loan was obtained for farming purposes, the funds were diverted to other uses. They further contend that there is no evidence of any farm to justify the facility. Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Office of the Attorney-General disclosed the development in the EXIM Bank case in court filings dated 11 June 2026 after receiving formal notice that Wontumi had initiated steps towards a negotiated settlement.

The request, made through Appiah-Kubi, was contained in a letter dated 5 June 2026 and filed under Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30). The notice was subsequently submitted to the court registry for the attention of the presiding judge at the Accra High Court.

The Attorney-General’s Department, led in part by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, is prosecuting both cases on behalf of the state.