NPP Challenges Wontumi’s 20-Year Sentence, Says ‘No Evidence Supported Conviction’
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the 20-year prison sentence handed to its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that the conviction was delivered without evidence proving the alleged offence beyond reasonable doubt.
Addressing the media, NPP General Secretary Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua described the High Court’s decision as a “political incident” and insisted that the party remains committed to seeking justice through the appellate process.
According to him, while the NPP respects the authority of the judiciary, respect for the courts does not prevent citizens from disagreeing with judgements they consider flawed.
“We consider the decision of the court a mounting political incident. Mr Chairman Wontumi is a political figure, and we address you today with profound disappointment but with an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy and the pursuit of justice,” he stated.
Lawyer Kodua maintained that Chairman Wontumi was convicted in circumstances where there was “no evidence at all” to establish the offence for which he was sentenced.
He explained that it was never disputed during the trial that Wontumi legally acquired his mineral concession, adding that the main issue before the court was whether the concession had been unlawfully assigned or transferred.
“It was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his mineral concession. The central question was whether that concession had been assigned or transferred in violation of the law,” he said.
The NPP General Secretary argued that the prosecution failed to present evidence proving that Wontumi had transferred or assigned his mineral rights, insisting that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than facts established beyond reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution could not produce any evidence to show that he had assigned his mineral rights. Instead, the conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt,” he added.
He described the judgement as a “travesty of justice” and disclosed that the party’s legal team had begun processes to challenge the decision at the appellate level.
Beyond the conviction, Lawyer Kodua accused the government of engaging in selective prosecution in the fight against illegal mining, claiming that political opponents were being targeted while allegations involving individuals associated with the ruling party remained unresolved.
He argued that the government could not present Chairman Wontumi’s conviction as proof of success in combating illegal mining while failing to address other allegations of illegal mining activities.
“Justice cannot be selected. The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents in respect of whom evidence of wrongdoing does not exist, while overlooking allegations involving others,” he stated.
He questioned why investigations into allegations involving some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) had not received similar attention.
Lawyer Kodua further described Chairman Wontumi as a political prisoner and assured NPP supporters that the party would continue to stand by him.
“The New Patriotic Party stands firmly with him. Our legal team has already commenced the necessary steps to challenge this judgement through the appellate process,” he said.
He added that the party believes the judgement overlooked evidence that could have exonerated Wontumi and remains confident that the appeal process will deliver justice.
“The NPP considers Wontumi a political prisoner,” Lawyer Kodua reiterated.
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