The Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem Sai, has indicated that the state will oppose any attempt to have the case against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Antwi Boasiako, alias Chairman Wontumi, thrown out.

Justice Sai shared the update on social media on February 4, 2026, providing details of the evidence presented against Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused.

“This afternoon, our hardworking State Attorneys closed the Republic’s case against Chairman Wontumi (Bernard Antwi-Biasiako) and his 2 co-accused persons, namely, Kwame Antwi (who is at large) and Akonta Mining Limited,” he wrote.

According to the post, the central allegation is that Chairman Wontumi, without obtaining the required ministerial approval, allowed his mining concession in Samreboi to be used by others for galamsey activities.

Chairman Wontumi's Trial: State's first witness cross-examined

Justice Sai explained that the prosecution called four witnesses to present their evidence.

The first witness, a galamsey headman arrested at the Akonta Mining office on the concession, testified that he supervised several individuals engaged in galamsey activities.

The second witness, the headman’s employer, confirmed an arrangement with Chairman Wontumi to conduct galamsey on the concession and reclaim land, and highlighted how Wontumi allegedly used his political influence to secure national security protection for these activities.

A police detective, the third witness, presented investigative statements, including one in which Chairman Wontumi admitted giving part of the Samreboi concession to the second witness for land reclamation, but not for galamsey, and without any monetary exchange.

The fourth witness, a mining law and regulation expert, explained that allowing another party to conduct mining on a concession requires ministerial approval, which Akonta Mining did not have.

Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers have indicated that they intend to make a “submission of no case,” arguing that the evidence presented is insufficient to require Wontumi to defend himself.

Justice Sai confirmed that the state will oppose this move, noting that the lawyers have 14 days to submit.

“Our Attorneys will oppose the submission of no case,” he emphasised in the post, signalling that the prosecution intends to ensure the case continues through the courts.

The outcome of the submission of no case will determine whether Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused will have to enter a formal defence, or whether the court finds that the Republic has not presented sufficient evidence to proceed.

Read the post below:

This afternoon, our hardworking State Attorneys closed the Republic’s case against Chairman Wontumi (Bernard Antwi-Biasiako) and his 2 co-accused persons, namely, Kwame Antwi (who is at large) and Akonta Mining Limited.

The core accusation in the case is that Chairman Wontumi,…

— Justice Srem-Sai (@JusticeSremSai) February 4, 2026