A High Court in Accra has ruled that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, must defend himself against charges of illegal mining. He is also known as Chairman Wontumi.
His company, Akonta Mining Limited, must also present its defense. The charges relate to alleged galamsey activities on a concession in Samreboi.
The court considered a submission of no case to answer made by Wontumi and his company. This submission argued that the prosecution had not presented enough evidence to require a defense.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay presided over the case. The judge dismissed the submission made by the defense team.
This means the court found that the prosecution has presented a case that needs to be answered by the accused.
The legal proceedings will now move to the defense stage where Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited can present their evidence.
The ruling is a significant step in the prosecution of illegal mining allegations against the NPP chairman and his company.
The exact nature of the illegal mining activities alleged on the Samreboi concession remains a key part of the court case.