Wontumi to remain in prison as court sets 4 November bail ruling
Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi say he needs temporary release to prepare his appeal against a 20-year sentence, but prosecutors argue he has not shown exceptional circumstances.
Chairman Wontumi will remain in prison while awaiting a High Court ruling on November 4 on his application for bail pending an appeal against his conviction and 20-year sentence.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay set the date after hearing arguments from his lawyers and the state, which opposed his release.
Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was convicted in July of permitting mining activities on his Samreboi concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman is challenging his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal. The bail application concerns his request for temporary release while that challenge proceeds.
At Thursday’s hearing, his lead lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, argued that release would allow Wontumi to prepare his appeal and participate effectively in two other criminal cases he is facing.
Mr Atta Akyea said his client had complied with previous bail conditions before his conviction and should not be considered a flight risk.
He also asked the court to consider the 19 grounds set out in the notice of appeal, arguing that they had a reasonable prospect of success and supported the application for bail.
Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, representing the state, disputed that assessment.
He argued that the grounds were ordinary objections that any appellant could raise against a conviction and did not demonstrate the exceptional circumstances he said were required for bail pending appeal.
Dr Srem-Sai also challenged the defence’s reliance on Wontumi’s conduct before his conviction. Compliance with earlier bail conditions could not, by itself, establish that he would not abscond if released, he argued.
The deputy attorney general further submitted that the prospect of additional prison terms in the other pending cases could provide an incentive to flee.
Those cases remain unresolved, and his argument concerned the possibility of further convictions and consecutive sentences.
He also referred to a video involving Wontumi’s former lawyer, who allegedly discussed a plan by Wontumi to run over law enforcement officers to avoid arrest. Dr Srem-Sai cited the allegation in support of the state’s opposition to bail.
During the hearing, Justice Kocuvie-Tay, who convicted and sentenced Wontumi, asked about progress on the appeal.
Mr Atta Akyea said work was underway to compile the records for transmission to the Court of Appeal.
The judge then adjourned the application until November 4. The scheduled ruling will determine whether Wontumi is granted bail while pursuing his appeal; it will not decide the appeal itself.