Wontumi wins bid to recall prosecution witness in Tano Nimiri case

The High Court has granted an application by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to recall the first prosecution witness in the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case for further cross-examination.

Lawyer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Samuel Atta Akyea, said the application was granted after the Attorney-General changed his position and agreed to it.

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According to him, Wontumi wants the witness, Edward Akuoko, a former employee who later became a prosecution witness, to return to the witness box for further questioning on his integrity, credibility and plea bargain arrangements.

“Chairman Wontumi prayed the court that PW-1, who used to work for him, who was converted from an accused person to a prosecution witness, be recalled for further cross-examination, especially on the integrity issues,” he said.

Atta Akyea said the Attorney-General initially opposed the application but later agreed that the witness should be recalled.

“The Attorney General initially filed an affidavit of opposition, but when we were about to contest the application, he said, ‘no’, he's changed his mind and that the application should be granted,” he added.

He said Akuoko is expected to return to court on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, for further cross-examination on his integrity and the plea bargain issues.

“So, the application has been granted, and on Wednesday, the gentleman will come back to the court for me to cross-examine him on the very simple areas of integrity and the plea bargain issues,” he said.

It will be recalled that the Office of the Attorney-General (AG) withdrew all charges against Edward Akuoko, a manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, who was among five individuals standing trial over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

A notice filed at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) on Monday, November 4, 2025, confirmed the withdrawal under Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

Akuoko had been discharged from all criminal charges related to the Akonta Mining case.

Akuoko had been standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Limited, Chairman Wontumi, Operations Manager Kwadwo Owusu Bempah, and co-director Kwame Antwi, both of whom remain at large.

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The accused faced multiple charges, including engaging in mining operations without a licence, felling trees in a forest reserve without authorisation, abetting unauthorised felling of trees and erecting structures in a protected area without approval.

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