A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, for reportedly absenting himself from court without the appropriate permission.

According to a GHOne TV report on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the warrant was issued by the Accra High Court following a court sitting on the case against Chairman Wontumi, who is facing criminal charges related to illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey, in the Western Region.

Wontumi granted GH¢15m bail, case adjourned to October 28

At an earlier sitting on October 7, 2025, Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH¢15 million with three sureties by the High Court in Accra.

Two of the sureties were to be justified with landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction, while the court has also directed Wontumi to deposit his passport with the registrar.

His name was to be placed on a stop list at all entry points to prevent him from leaving the country.

The sureties were further required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses to the court registrar.

Presiding Judge Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay ordered that Wontumi report to the investigator on the first and third Monday of every month.

Chairman Wontumi, together with Akonta Mining Company Limited, pleaded not guilty to charges related to illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey, in the Western Region.

Details of second case that led to Chairman Wontumi's rearrest

The charges stem from alleged unauthorised mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region, invoking key provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995).

According to the charge sheet, Wontumi and the other accused persons face three counts of assigning mineral rights without the necessary approval and three counts of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.

MAG/AE

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