Wontumi's Sentence: Justice Cannot Be Selective — NPP Conviction, Heads to Appeal
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, describing the judgement as a miscarriage of justice and warning that the fight against illegal mining must not be applied selectively.
Speaking at a press briefing, NPP General Secretary Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua said the party respects the authority of the judiciary but maintains that respect for the courts does not prevent citizens and political parties from challenging decisions they believe are flawed.
According to him, the party considers the judgement a “mounting political incident” involving a political figure who, in the NPP’s view, was convicted without sufficient evidence to establish the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
“We respect the authority of our courts, but respect for the judiciary does not require silence in the face of a judgement that is fundamentally flawed,” lawyer Kodua stated.
He explained that the NPP’s legal team has begun processes to challenge the decision through the appellate court, arguing that there was no evidence proving that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully assigned or transferred his mineral rights.
“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. It is our respected view that no evidence was adduced before the court establishing any such assignment or transfer,” he said.
Lawyer Kodua maintained that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than concrete evidence, insisting that the decision must be overturned on appeal.
“This conviction rested on assumptions and inferences which, in our view, could not amount to proof beyond reasonable doubt. That is why we firmly believe that his conviction is a travesty of justice and has to be overturned,” he added.
The NPP General Secretary also accused the government of engaging in selective prosecution in its fight against illegal mining, claiming that individuals linked to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) who have faced allegations of involvement in illegal mining have not received similar attention.
He questioned why alleged cases involving some members and associates of the NDC have not received the same level of scrutiny and action.
“Justice cannot be selective. The fight against illegal mining cannot become credible only when it targets political opponents while overlooking allegations involving others, especially from the President’s own party,” Lawyer Kodua said.
He further argued that the conviction of Chairman Wontumi should not be used as evidence of government success in combating illegal mining, insisting that broader concerns affecting Ghanaians require urgent attention.
According to him, the country is facing serious challenges, including the impact of illegal mining on farming communities, recent flooding incidents, and growing security threats within the sub-region.
“No government should attempt to divert public attention from pressing national concerns through selective prosecutions designed to create the appearance of success,” he said.
Lawyer Kodua assured members of the NPP and supporters of Chairman Wontumi that the party would stand by him throughout the legal process.
“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 stated.
He concluded by declaring that the NPP considers Chairman Wontumi a political prisoner, stressing that the party would continue to pursue justice through constitutional means.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
