Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case.
Lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, challenging both the High Court’s verdict and the sentence imposed on his client.
The appeal raises more than 20 grounds, with the defense arguing that the conviction was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence presented during the trial.
Among the key grounds of appeal is the claim that the trial court misinterpreted provisions of the law relating to mineral rights and mining operations.
The defense also contends that the trial judge exceeded the court’s jurisdiction by determining constitutional issues that ought to have been reserved for the Supreme Court.
Mr. Atta Akyea further challenges the trial court’s reliance on the testimony of the prosecution’s second witness, whom the defense describes as a self-confessed illegal miner and participant in the alleged offences.
The appeal also argues that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution did not conclusively establish Wontumi’s guilt and that other reasonable explanations were not adequately considered.
According to the defense, the prosecution failed to establish the requisite criminal intent necessary to secure the convictions.
The legal team further argues that the trial court was wrong to lift the corporate veil in convicting the third appellant, maintaining that the decision was not supported by law.
The appeal also claims that exculpatory evidence was either disregarded or not given sufficient consideration during the trial.
In addition, the defense is challenging the sentences imposed, describing them as excessive and disproportionately harsh.
The Court of Appeal is expected to set a date to hear the appeal after the necessary processes have been completed.
