Chairman Wontumi's bail application adjourned to October 15

The Accra High Court has adjourned the bail application filed on behalf of former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to October 15, 2026.

The application was expected to be moved before the court on Wednesday, August 19, as Wontumi's legal team seeks his release on bail pending the determination of his appeal.

However, proceedings could not go ahead as scheduled because Wontumi and his lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, were absent from court.

The NPP Director of Legal Affairs, Gary Nimako, was present in court during the proceedings.

The court clerk subsequently informed the parties that the trial judge was unavailable and would not be sitting during the week.

In view of the judge's absence, the court could not proceed with the bail application and subsequently adjourned the matter to October 15, 2026.

The latest development means Wontumi's lawyers will have to wait until the new date to formally move their application seeking his release pending the outcome of his appeal.

Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence imposed by the Accra High Court following his conviction on illegal mining-related offences.

His legal team challenged the conviction and sentence and is seeking bail for him while the appeal process is ongoing.

The bail application is therefore separate from the substantive appeal, as the immediate request before the court is for Wontumi to be released from custody pending the final determination of the appeal.