The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties by the Police following his appearance at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over alleged involvement in illegal mining.
Chairman Wontumi turned himself in at the CID headquarters after the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, warned that failure to report would lead to his arrest.
The CID has been investigating the operations of Akonta Mining for several months.
Director-General of the CID, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, revealed that Wontumi had previously missed a scheduled meeting with investigators due to ill health.
However, his legal team provided documentation, and he has since resumed cooperation with the investigation.
DCOP Donkor also confirmed that another person connected to the case, identified as Akuoko, has been arrested and questioned. She noted that multiple individuals are under investigation in connection with the mining company.
Chairman Wontumi, who was accompanied by his lawyers, including former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, maintains his innocence.
Speaking on his TV station, Wontumi TV, he said, “I want to tell the public that I am not into galamsey. I operate a large-scale mining company under Akonta Mining, and I have all the required documents to prove it”.
Investigations are ongoing, and the Police have assured the public that the outcome will be communicated when complete.
