Court allows Wontumi to recall prosecution witness for further cross-examination

An Accra High Court has granted Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, permission to recall the first prosecution witness in his ongoing illegal mining trial for further cross-examination.

The ruling followed an application by his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, seeking to bring back Mr Edward Akuoku, who previously testified for the prosecution.

At Thursday's hearing, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai informed the court that the prosecution had decided to withdraw its affidavit opposing the application.

He said he had consulted defence counsel, who indicated that the additional cross-examination of the witness would take approximately two hours.

“In view of that we wish to withdraw our affidavit in opposition,” he told the court.

Mr Atta Akyea subsequently assured the court that the defence was not seeking to reopen its case but only wanted the opportunity to further question the witness.

Presiding judge, Justice Ruby Aryeetey, granted the application, allowing the defence to recall Mr Akuoku.

The court adjourned the case to Wednesday, November 18, 2026.

Wontumi, a former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is standing trial alongside Akonta Mining Company Limited over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nnimire Forest in the Western Region.

They face charges relating to alleged mining operations without the required licence in the protected forest area.

The prosecution alleges that Boasiako caused about 300 merchantable trees to be felled and authorised the erection of structures within the forest without obtaining written permission from the Forestry Commission.