Lawyer for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has attributed the delay in his client’s release to bureaucratic bottlenecks within state institutions.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, October 9, counsel for the embattled politician, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that all bail requirements have been met but stated that the administrative processing is still pending completion.
“You know we have been granted bail and we have been able to meet the conditions of the bail, except that the processing of the order is what is delaying. The execution of the order itself requires verification of the properties used for the bail and confirmation of their valuation — processes handled by state institutions. The delay is coming from those institutions,” he stated.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi cited the Lands Commission as one of the agencies involved, disclosing that officials initially faced challenges in locating the registration plan for one of the properties submitted as part of the bail requirements.
“I’m told that it has now been identified, and the report is being sent to the registrar of the court,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the necessary processes would be completed by the end of the day to secure Chairman Wontumi’s release.
Chairman Wontumi remains in custody two days after the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court granted him bail in the sum of GH₵15 million on Tuesday, October 7, in connection with two separate cases relating to alleged illegal mining activities.
The cases involve Akonta Mining Limited, a company linked to him and alleged mining operations in the Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
He faces multiple charges, including undertaking illegal mining operations and causing unlawful damage to the environment.
In addition, the NPP regional chairman has been placed on a stop list, preventing him from travelling outside the country until the case is resolved.
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