Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, a High Court Judge, has set November 4, 2026, to deliver a ruling on a bail application filed by Bernard Antwi Bosiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, pending appeal.
The High Court Judge adjournment follows arguments by lawyers for Chairman Wontumi, led by Samuel Atta Akyea, and Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
Atta Akyea in court on Thursday argued that the circumstances of the case warranted the grant of bail pending appeal.
He argued that temporary release would be essential to enable him to prepare his appeal and participate effectively in two other criminal cases Wontumi is facing.
According to Atta Akyea, Wontumi was not a flight risk, citing his compliance with previous bail conditions before his conviction, asking the court to consider the 19 grounds of appeal outlined in the notice of appeal.
However, Dr Justice Srem-Sai opposed the application, stressing that the grounds of appeal were ordinary grounds that could be raised by any appellant challenging a conviction.
He further argued that the appellant’s conduct during the trial could not, on its own, serve as a reliable basis for determining whether he would abscond if granted bail.
Dr Srem-Sai further referred to a video involving Wontumi’s former counsel, in which the lawyer allegedly spoke about Wontumi’s plan to run.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay then quizzed Atta Akyea about the progress of the appeal process, where he indicated that efforts were underway to compile the records of appeal for onward transmission to the Court of Appeal.
The High Court Judge subsequently adjourned the case to November 4, 2026, to deliver her ruling on the bail application.
Earlier, the Accra High Court adjourned Wontumi’s bail application pending; his appeal to October 15, 2026.
Reports suggest the adjournment followed the failure of Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers who failed to appear before the court for the hearing.
However, the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, was present in court for the proceedings.
He disclosed to the media that the court is expected to consider the bail application when the case resumes on October 15.
Meanwhile, Prophet Kofi Oduro, the Founder and Leader of Alabaster International Ministries, has quizzed the sense behind the 20-year prison sentence handed to Chairman Wontumi.
The man of God expressed disappointment over the imprisonment of Wontumi, arguing that the 20-year prison sentence was not in the best interest of the country.
He noted that the government will now have to spend taxpayers’ money on his feeding and welfare while he serves his sentence.
According to Prophet Kofi Oduro, Wontumi should have been given an option: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback to reclaim the lands he helped destroy with his galamsey activities.
Speaking in a sermon shared on social media with his congregation, Prophet Kofi Oduro stated, “What is the use of Wontumi being in prison for 20 years? We should have given that guy options: 20 years or 10 billion dollars payback. He will definitely choose the latter. What is the sense of Wontumi being in Nsawam Prison? It’s true he has committed a crime, but give him an option, give him an option to pay back.
“Now that he is in Nsawam for 20 years, what is the sense of it? He has offended the law, yes, but he should be given an option to pay back. The Nation needs that money back to go and reclaim that land.
The judiciary should give the guy an option. 20 years or pay back; nobody will take 20 years. Let him sell everything he has made to pay back, but for him to sit there while we waste money on him is nonsense,” he said.
@ghnow_ The ruling on Chairman Wontumi’s bail application is expected to be delivered on November 4 following proceedings at the Accra High Court. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – BiG VYBZ’s Lyrics.
@ghnow_ Justice Srem-Sai has departed the Accra High Court after the judge adjourned the bail application hearing of Chairman Wontumi. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – MY WORSHIP CORNER. 🇬🇭
@ghnow_ Paul Yandoh has been spotted at the Accra High Court for the bail hearing of Chairman Wontumi #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – Kofi Kinaata
