Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has indicated that the law is on the side of the former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, as he seeks bail pending an appeal against his conviction.

Speaking ahead of the hearing on October 15, 2026, Atta Akyea said the circumstances of the case justify the granting of bail to Chairman Wontumi.

Chairman Wontumi heads to court to seek bail from Nsawam prison custody

He argued that Wontumi should be allowed to return home and assist his lawyers in handling the other cases against him.

“Well, I believe that given all the factors, he should be admitted to bail. There are other cases against him, so that he can come and join his counsel and aide him to do it. The law too is on his side,” he said.

Atta Akyea also questioned why Wontumi should be held responsible for the actions of a person he had authorised to carry out reclamation work.

He argued that the person who carried out the work was an accomplice and that this should be considered in deciding whether Wontumi should be granted bail.

“I do not see how somebody holds a licence, sends somebody to go and work, to do reclamation, and if the person even does the opposite, then he suffers for that. Meanwhile, the person was an accomplice,” he argued.

The lawyer maintained that the case for bail was strong and urged the judge to allow Wontumi to remain free while his appeal is heard.

He added that granting bail would not prevent Wontumi from returning to prison if his appeal failed.

“So, I am of the view that this is a very, very solid case, and the judge can say, ‘Look, let this gentleman have his freedom. If he goes on appeal and he loses, he will come back to you’.

“So, these are some of the matters we want to urge upon the judge, and then I pray for bail pending appeal,” he added.

His comments follow Wontumi’s appearance before the Accra High Court today, Thursday, October 15, 2026, as his legal team appeals against his 20-year prison sentence.

His lawyers filed the bail application in August, hoping to secure his release from prison while the appeal against his conviction and sentence is being determined.

However, the application faces opposition from the Attorney General, who has raised concerns that Chairman Wontumi could flee the country if released from custody.

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Chairman Wontumi has been in custody at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison since his conviction in July in a case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited.

An Accra High Court sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of offences related to mining activities on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region. The sentences on the two counts are to run concurrently.

“This is a very solid case, and given all the factors, Chairman Wontumi should be admitted to bail. If he appeals and loses, he will return to prison.” — Lawyer Atta Akyea ahead of the bail-pending-appeal hearing.

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— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) October 15, 2026