Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has directed the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to appear in Accra by Monday, October 6, to answer charges related to alleged illegal mining activities by Akonta Mining Limited.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement on illegal mining convened by President John Dramani Mahama in Accra on Friday, October 3, Dr. Ayine confirmed that formal charges have been signed against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and five others after the police handed over a previously hidden docket.
“In 2002, the police conducted very diligent investigations in respect of Akonta Mining. But the docket was hidden until we came to power… two months ago the police themselves presented the docket to my office. So as we speak, the charges against Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining and five others have been signed,” he disclosed.
The Attorney-General stressed that Wontumi’s appearance is non-negotiable, despite requests from his legal team for an extension.
“His lawyers asked that he should be brought on Tuesday, but I’m insisting that he should be here on Monday. If he doesn’t come on Monday, I’m going to order for his arrest so that he’ll be brought to Accra, his rights will be read to him, and then we can start the prosecution,” Dr. Ayine warned.
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He further assured stakeholders that special measures are being put in place to fast-track the prosecution process.
Chairman Wontumi, who first appeared before the CID in May over the matter, has consistently denied involvement in galamsey, maintaining that his company operates legally under a valid large-scale mining license.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
