Maurice Ampaw is a private legal practitioner
Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, has warned that persons he believes contributed to what he described as an injustice against Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will face consequences.
Speaking to GhanaWeb's Joycelyn Kyei- Baffuor after the ruling on July 20, 2026, he said the case could have implications beyond the courtroom, suggesting that there could be spiritual consequences for those involved in the process.
“There are consequences for that. When you do injustice to an innocent soul, there are consequences for that. And everybody who played a part will see the consequences,” he said.
The lawyer added that, in his view, the manner in which the case was handled raised concerns, insisting that the future would determine the outcome of the actions of those involved.
“For some of us, the way we see it, this case was prejudiced, from the beginning to the end… So, we need to [pause], and then we’ll see what will happen, legally and spiritually,” Lawyer Ampaw stated.
He also cautioned people against celebrating Chairman Wontumi’s conviction, arguing that the development should rather serve as a moment for reflection on Ghana’s justice system.
“I want to say that anybody who would jubilate over what has happened to Wontumi, does not know what tomorrow brings, because this is not a time for jubilation, it’s a time for reflection,” he said.
Lawyer Ampaw further raised concerns about what he described as a pattern of political cases leading to arrests, denial of bail, and imprisonment, claiming that reactions to such cases often depend on the political affiliation of those affected.
“Currently, there is always jailing of NPP people, and NDC people jubilate. All the cases that are going to court lead to jail, arrest, denial of bail, and NDC is jubilating, whilst NPP is crying and mourning,” he added.
His comments come amid Wontumi’s 20-year sentence in connection with illegal mining-related offences.
Lawyer Ampaw questioned the handling of the case, claiming that it had been prejudiced from the beginning.
"I'm not shocked about the outcome of Wontumi's case, because it was clear that if you want to argue, it is one of the most predetermined criminal proceedings that I've ever witnessed as a lawyer.
"Because it started with the Attorney General, press conferences, implicating and condemning (Wontumi, and holding him guilty. When the trial started, the way the prosecution was fast-tracked with the support and aid of the judge, who came under pressure from social media influencers" he added.
NPP holds emergency meeting over Wontumi's 20-year sentence
Wontumi has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining Company Limited's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.
The Accra High Court found him guilty on all six counts, including assigning mineral rights without approval and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation. The court also imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units, with a default prison term of three years if the fine is not paid.
The sentences are to run concurrently, and the court showed leniency towards Akonta Mining Company Limited, imposing a financial penalty instead of a custodial sentence.
JKB/VPO
BREAKING: Chairman Wontumi jailed 20 years in prison
Copyright © 1994 - 2026 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
