AG opposes Wontumi’s bail application, says appeal has no chance of success

The Attorney-General has asked the High Court to refuse Chairman Wontumi’s request for bail while he appeals his 20-year prison sentence.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, is seeking bail pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction in the Samreboi illegal mining case.

His lawyers are expected to move the application on August 19, 2026.

But in an affidavit opposing the motion, the Attorney-General argues that the appeal does not raise grounds strong enough to justify Wontumi’s release from custody.

According to the State, the appeal has no reasonable prospect of success.

The Attorney-General also maintains that there are no special circumstances that warrant the grant of bail pending appeal.

Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of illegal mining-related offences involving the assignment of Akonta Mining’s mineral concession at Samreboi.

His lawyers have since challenged both the conviction and sentence.

They argue that the appeal raises serious questions of law and fact and that he should be admitted to bail while the appeal is pending.

The Attorney-General disagrees.

In the affidavit in opposition, the State says the grounds of appeal filed by Wontumi do not disclose any reasonable chance of success.

“That by the grounds of appeal contained in the Exhibit CB2, the appeal, contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 6, 7,8,9, 10 and 11 of the affidavit in support of the motion, discloses no reasonable chance of success,” the affidavit stated.

The State is also opposing the application on the basis that Wontumi is a flight risk.

The Attorney-General argues that if released, he may leave the jurisdiction, especially because he is facing other criminal trials.

“That contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the Applicant constitutes significant flight risk,” the affidavit said.

The State further claims that the risk is supported by comments allegedly made by Wontumi’s previous lawyer in a television interview.

According to the Attorney-General, the former counsel suggested that Wontumi had to be carefully managed because of what was described as his “chaotic character” and alleged determination to resist arrest or breach bail conditions.

The affidavit says a video of the interview has been attached as Exhibit AG1.

The Attorney-General also argues that Wontumi’s other pending criminal cases increase the risk of flight, since he could face additional prison terms if convicted in those matters.

The High Court will now have to determine whether Wontumi should remain in custody or be granted bail while his appeal against the Samreboi conviction is heard.