The Attorney-General has opposed an application for bail pending appeal filed by the convicted Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to the Attorney General, the application filed at the Court of Appeal against his 20-year prison sentence and GH¢300,000 fine has no reasonable chance of success.
In a 13-paragraph affidavit in opposition, the AG argued that no special or exceptional circumstances exist to admit Chairman Wontumi to bail pending the determination of his appeal.
On July 20, Chairman Wontumi was convicted for assigning mineral rights without prior approval from the sector minister. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour.
In addition to the custodial sentence, he was fined GH¢120,000 while his company, Akonta Mining Company Limited, was also fined GH¢180,000 after being found guilty on two counts.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, Chairman Wontumi has filed a notice of appeal and an application for bail pending appeal.
AG’s grounds of opposition
The affidavit in opposition, deposed to by Priscilla Lartey, a State Attorney, states that apart from allegations of fact which are expressly admitted, the Attorney-General denies each allegation of fact contained in the affidavit in support of the motion as if the said allegations were set out fully and specifically denied.
The AG stated that it is opposed to the prayer of the Appellant/Applicant for bail pending appeal.
“That by the grounds of appeal contained in Exhibit CB2, the appeal, contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the affidavit in support of the motion, discloses no reasonable chance of success,” the affidavit noted.
On the question of flight risk, the AG contended that contrary to averments in Paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 of the affidavit in support, the applicant constitutes a significant flight risk.
“That in further response to the averments in Paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the materiality of the risk that the Appellant will flee is corroborated by his previous counsel who recently informed the public via a television interview that but for his intense management of the Appellant’s chaotic character, the Appellant was at all material times determined to resist arrest or breach his bail conditions. Attached and marked as Exhibit AG1 is a video of the Appellant’s previous counsel’s announcement,” it stated.
The AG further argued that the risk is heightened because the appellant is standing trial in other criminal matters in respect of which, if convicted, he stands to be imprisoned for a considerable number of years.
On the applicant’s claim that his physical presence is needed for the preparation of his appeal, the AG countered: “That contrary to the averments in Paragraph 17 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the Appellant’s physical presence, having regard to the grounds of appeal in Exhibit CB2 and the fact that trial has effectively concluded, is of no moment to counsel’s preparation of written submissions in support of the appeal.”
The AG also rejected claims of good character, stating: “That contrary to the averments in Paragraph 19 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the Appellant has, as disclosed by the averments in Paragraph 15 of the affidavit in support of the motion, had several brushes with the law.”
On the issue of special circumstances, the affidavit added: “That contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 22, 23 and 24 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the application discloses no special or exceptional circumstances to warrant an order admitting the Appellant to bail pending appeal.”
The AG concluded: “That I am advised, and I verily believe same to be true, that this is a proper case where this court ought to exercise its discretion to summarily dismiss the present application.”
The Court is expected to hear the bail application on August 19, 2026.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
