Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted a GH¢1 million police inquiry bail following his appearance before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025.
The appearance comes after an ultimatum issued by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, warning that failure to appear before investigators would lead to his arrest.
Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities, widely known as galamsey, through his company, Akonta Mining Limited. The company came under public scrutiny during the previous NPP administration after reports emerged linking its operations to protected forest reserves in the Western Region.
According to information available to the press, Wontumi is expected to be formally charged on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, following the completion of preliminary interrogation and document review by the CID.
His bail was granted after hours of engagement between his legal team and investigators, during which he fully cooperated with the authorities.
Addressing journalists shortly after the CID proceedings, his legal counsel, Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi, who is also the former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, clarified that his client had not been evasive or uncooperative, contrary to reports suggesting that Wontumi had defied previous invitations from the Attorney General’s office.
“I know that the CID works for the Attorney General in terms of prosecution, so I consider the discourse between myself, my office, and the CID as equally, by extension, communication with the Attorney General’s office. I am sure there was some communication gap that resulted in this impasse.”
Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi
The lawmaker expressed disappointment at what he described as the unnecessary tension surrounding the Attorney General’s warning, saying that such actions could escalate political tempers.
He emphasized that at no point did his client refuse to honour official invitations. “We have not at any point in time decided or refused to respond to invitations,” he said, stressing that the law provides suspects or accused persons adequate time and resources to prepare their defence.
Not Guilty Until Proven So
Mr. Appiah-Kubi further reminded the public of the fundamental legal principle that an accused person remains innocent until proven guilty. “An accused person is not considered guilty until proven so, therefore, he has to have a right to his civil liberties,” he noted.
Outlining the legal process ahead, the lawyer explained that Wontumi’s police inquiry bail would remain valid until formal charges are filed in court, after which his team will apply for the bail to be continued.
“We will justify that with our performance during the time of the bail and the capacity of Chairman Wontumi as a person — a man of known character and substance in society,” he remarked. Mr. Appiah-Kubi underscored that his client’s conduct throughout the investigation demonstrates respect for the law and due process.
“So far, two points that I can emphasize — we have not been charged so far, and we have been granted police inquiry bail. We have responded to all invitations. And I want to emphasize that we have responded to all invitations”.
Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi
He also explained that where a person is unable to meet a scheduled appearance, the proper legal procedure is to formally notify the investigating authority and request a new date.
Appreciation and Calls for Upholding Legal Standard
Expressing appreciation to the media and the police for their professionalism, Mr. Appiah-Kubi described the process as an important moment for upholding legal standards in Ghana’s justice system.
“We are trying to develop the law, all of us together. It is our responsibility as practitioners to ensure that we collaborate, even in the courtroom, to ensure a judicious decision comes from the court itself.”
Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi
He added that both the defence and the Attorney General’s office share a common duty to uphold justice. “Myself I am an officer of the court, and the Attorney General is the principal lawyer of the country. It is our collective duty to ensure that justice is delivered to whoever appears before the court,” he said.
The case involving Akonta Mining and its alleged illegal mining operations remains one of the most closely watched issues in the country, as it has rekindled public debate on political accountability in environmental governance.
The Attorney General’s directive marks a renewed effort by the Mahama administration to demonstrate zero tolerance for political interference in the enforcement of mining laws.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team maintains that he will continue to cooperate with the authorities as the process unfolds, insisting that “the truth will prevail in the end.”
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