State closes case against Wontumi, two others over alleged illegal mining

The prosecution has closed its case in the trial of former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others over alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve. The Republic closed its case at the Accra Criminal Court after calling three witnesses, comprising two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service. According to the prosecution, the two former employees testified about Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s alleged involvement in the company’s mining activities in the forest reserve. The police detective also tendered drone footage, other audiovisual materials and official communications in evidence to support the testimonies of the former employees. The prosecution said the accused persons had, during cross-examination, sought to distance themselves from mining activities in the Tano-Nimire Forest Reserve. Following the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to recall the first prosecution witness for further cross-examination. The court gave the defence until Friday, October 30, to file a formal application seeking the witness’s recall. The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the court to hear the application. The allegations against Mr Antwi-Boasiako and the other accused persons are yet to be determined by the court.