The Attorney-General(AG) has mounted a strong opposition to a bail application filed by convicted illegal mining offender Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that his appeal has no reasonable prospect of success.
The State has filed processes asking the court to reject Mr Boasiako’s request for bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence.
According to the Attorney-General, the application fails to demonstrate any special circumstances that would justify releasing Mr Boasiako from custody while his appeal is being heard.
The State further maintains that the grounds of appeal do not disclose a reasonable likelihood that the conviction or sentence would be overturned.
Mr Boasiako’s bail application follows his conviction by the Accra High Court over offences arising from illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, on July 20, 2026, sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of offences including assigning mineral rights without the required approval and facilitating unlicensed mining.
Akonta Mining Company Limited, in which Mr Boasiako is a shareholder and director, was also fined by the court.
The court further ordered the confiscation of mining equipment, firearms and cash seized during investigations into the case.
Mr Boasiako, who is serving his sentence at the Nsawam Prison, has since challenged both his conviction and sentence and is seeking bail while the appeal is determined.
His lawyers maintain that the High Court’s decision raises grounds that warrant consideration by the appellate court.
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The Attorney-General, however, insists that the appeal has no reasonable chance of succeeding and that there are no exceptional circumstances warranting bail.
The court will now consider the State’s opposition alongside arguments from Mr Boasiako’s lawyers in determining whether he should remain in custody throughout the appeal process.
The case arose from investigations into illegal mining activities on the Samreboi concession, which resulted in charges against Mr Boasiako, Akonta Mining Company Limited and another accused person.
