Wontumi had four lawyers representing him in court on Judgement Day – Deputy AG

Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai says Chairman Wontumi was represented by four lawyers during his sentencing, rejecting claims that he lacked legal representation.

Speaking in an interview aired on Wednesday, Dr. Srem-Sai dismissed suggestions that the conviction and sentencing of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, were delivered in the absence of his lead counsel, insisting the court acted in accordance with the law.

He explained that although Wontumi’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, had been unavailable, he had already filed the necessary legal processes and sent other lawyers from his chambers to represent his client.

“On the day, he sent his colleague lawyers to hold his brief and his colleague lawyers came to court, so it wasn’t as if Wontumi was sentenced in the absence of a lawyer. He had about four lawyers for him from Atta-Akyea’s firm.”

The Deputy Attorney-General argued that the law does not require the lawyer who files a motion to be personally present before a court can proceed with a ruling.

“There is no rule of law which says that unless the person who files the motion moves it, otherwise the court cannot decide. Imagine if that were the rule, it will be simple, I’ll commit a crime and I’ll tell the lawyer to travel anytime there will be a decision and the court will have to wait for him.”

He added that anyone who believes the court could not proceed in the absence of Mr. Atta Akyea had misunderstood both the law and the events that unfolded in court.

On Monday, an Accra High Court sentenced Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of multiple offences linked to illegal mining activities carried out by his company, Akonta Mining Limited, at its concession in Samreboi in the Western Region.

The court also imposed a GH¢120,000 fine, with an additional three-year prison term in default of payment, while Akonta Mining Limited was separately fined for its role in the offences.

Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi have described the judgment as disappointing and announced plans to challenge both the conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party has convened an emergency meeting to consider the political implications of the verdict and determine its next course of action.