Attorney-General opposes Wontumi's bail, calls him flight risk
Ghana's Attorney-General says NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Wontumi, poses a significant flight risk and has urged the High Court to reject his bid for bail pending appeal against his 20-year prison sentence.
Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine has opposed a request by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, for bail pending an appeal against his 20-year prison sentence.
The state argues that Mr Boasiako poses a significant flight risk and has asked the High Court in Accra to dismiss his application.
Mr Boasiako is serving the sentence after being convicted on two counts relating to illegal mining in the Western Region.
He was found guilty of assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and deliberately facilitating an unlicensed mining operation on the Samreboi concession.
The sentences are running concurrently.
Why the state opposes bail
In an affidavit filed at the High Court, State Attorney Priscilla Lartey, on behalf of the Attorney-General, said the grounds of appeal filed by Mr Boasiako showed no reasonable prospect of success.
The prosecution also rejected his claim that there were special or exceptional circumstances that justified bail pending appeal.
It said Mr Boasiako presented a "significant flight risk", citing comments allegedly made by his former lawyer during a television interview.
According to the state, the lawyer had said that, but for efforts to manage Mr Boasiako's character, he had been determined to resist arrest or breach his bail conditions.
The prosecution submitted a recording of the interview as evidence.
The Attorney-General further argued that the risk of flight was increased because Mr Boasiako is facing other criminal cases which could result in additional prison sentences if he is convicted.
Appeal preparation
The state also disputed Mr Boasiako's argument that his physical presence was necessary for his lawyers to prepare written submissions for his appeal.
The prosecution said the trial had effectively ended and that his physical presence was therefore not required for his lawyers to prepare the appeal.
It also pointed to Mr Boasiako's own affidavit, which it said disclosed that he had had "several brushes with the law".
The Attorney-General has urged the High Court to reject the bail application.
Mr Boasiako's appeal and application for bail are yet to be determined by the court.