Lawyers for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have filed an application at the High Court seeking his release on bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.
The application, filed by his legal representatives, Zoe, Akyea and Co., is asking the court to temporarily release Wontumi from custody while the Court of Appeal considers his challenge against his conviction and 20-year prison sentence.
Wontumi is currently serving the sentence at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison after being convicted over illegal mining activities at Samreboi.
In the motion filed before the High Court, his lawyers are seeking an order admitting him to bail pending the outcome of the appeal. The application is supported by an affidavit setting out the grounds on which the legal team is relying.
The motion states: “Take Notice that this Honourable Court will be moved by Counsel for and on behalf of the 1st Appellant/Applicant (‘Applicant’) herein praying the Court for an order that the Applicant, who is currently incarcerated at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, be admitted to bail pending appeal upon the grounds stated in the accompanying affidavit and for any further order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem meet.”
The application is the latest legal attempt by Wontumi’s lawyers to secure his temporary freedom while his appeal is being pursued.
If the High Court grants the application, Wontumi would be released from custody pending the determination of his appeal by the Court of Appeal.
The High Court is expected to consider the application and determine whether the applicant has met the legal requirements for bail pending appeal.
Wontumi’s conviction and sentence have attracted considerable public and political attention, with the case emerging as one of the most prominent prosecutions linked to illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in Ghana.
