Former counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has disclosed that he is returning as the lawyer for the convicted NPP chairman.

According to him, his return follows a message Chairman Wontumi sent minutes before his sentencing by the High Court.

Appiah-Kubi revealed that Wontumi, anticipating a possible prison sentence, instructed him to file an appeal if that happened.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on Monday, July 20, 2026, Appiah-Kubi explained that although he had formally withdrawn from the case before judgment was delivered, he is now back to lead the appeal process.

He argued that Wontumi was jailed based on limited facts and vowed to challenge the ruling.

“So, the next thing is that we will proceed with an appeal, presenting the evidence on record. I will challenge this judgment any day, anytime,” Appiah-Kubi stated.

He further disclosed that Wontumi had predicted the outcome before entering the courtroom.

“This judgment, Wontumi knew before he went to court. He called me this morning and told me, If it should happen this way, go on appeal on my behalf, “he added.

Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment after the Criminal Court 4 Division of the High Court found him guilty on all six counts brought against him.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, July 20, 2026, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ordered that the prison terms run concurrently. The court also fined Wontumi 10,000 penalty units on each of the six counts.

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Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units for each count.
The convictions were secured under the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 995), which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal mining-related offences.

Chairman Wontumi, Akonta Mining Limited, and a third accused person, Kwame Antwi, were prosecuted over alleged illegal mining activities on the company's concession at Samreboi in the Western Region.

According to the prosecution, the accused unlawfully assigned mineral rights on the concession without the approval of the sector minister and facilitated mining activities without the required authorisation, contrary to the provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act.

AM/VPO

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