A video has surfaced of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, expressing optimism after closing his defence in the Samreboi trial.
In a viral video shared on X, Wontumi was captured in high spirits and was seen smiling.
Wontumi and two others will face judgment on July 3 in the high-profile illegal mining case.
According to the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that the Accra High Court has scheduled July 3 for its final judgment in the case of The Republic vs Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and two others.
In a post shared by Justice Srem-Sai on X read, “The Accused Persons in the case – THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS – called their 5th and last witness today. The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago.
That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgment”.
During the trial, on Thursday, May 21, Wontumi mounted the witness box to testify in his trial under cross-examination by the Deputy Attorney General for his alleged illegal mining operations on his Samreboi concession.
Wontumi, among other things, claimed that he was unaware that the prosecution’s second witness, Henry Okum, was undertaking mining activities on his concession because he had an agreement with him to carry out reclamation exercises.
“I didn’t give him permission to mine. He came to reclaim the land and plant coconut trees so that when the coconuts mature, we would share,” he told the court.
Wontumi further denied allegations that he assisted witness Henry Okum (PW2) to engage in mining activities on the concession of Akonta Mining by acquiring excavators or other earth-moving equipment for mining operations.
“That is not true. I do not know the kind of work he carried out beyond reclamation and planting trees. I did not assist him in purchasing any earth-moving equipment,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Chairman Wontumi, Andy Appiah Kubi has called on the public for prayers as they work on the cases filed against his client.
According to Wontumi’s Lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, the first thing they need is prayers while they work on three cases against his clients.
Andy Appiah Kubi disclosed that his client has made himself available to the prosecution and that they will present their case so everyone can be heard before a final verdict is delivered.
Speaking to journalists at the Accra High Court ahead of proceedings, Appiah-Kubi stated, “We need prayers. We have been working hard on these three cases. This case of Exim Bank has been adjourned for a month to allow the prosecution to prepare the document”.
“We are fine except that prayers are necessary”, he added.
Wontumi’s lawyer further explained that one of the cases involving the EXIM Bank had been adjourned for about a month to allow prosecutors time to prepare.
Watch the video below:
BREAKING: The trial of Bernard Antwi Boasiako in the Samreboi illegal mining case has ended.
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 3, 2026
Court has set July 3 for judgment, while parties may file final addresses on or before June 17.#ORALUpdates pic.twitter.com/wg1OpCS6aT
