Dr Justice Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General, has told the Accra High Court that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is a high flight risk and should not be granted bail.
According to Srem-Sai, Wontumi’s own lawyers have shown he is a flight risk.
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.
The Deputy AG told the court that the prosecution has exhibited a video recording in which Wontumi’s own lawyer was seen on television describing his client as unruly.
The Deputy AG is quoted to have said, “It is a fact, and the affidavit in support in paragraph 15 has confirmed that the prisoner is standing trial in two other criminal courts, each of those trials staring the prisoner in the face with substantial prison terms which, as the law prescribes, would be served consecutively instead of concurrently”.
“We have also deposed and exhibited a video recording, and in that video recording, counsel for the accused was seen on television telling the public that his client, that is the prisoner, is unruly and that but for his exceptional personal management skill, the prisoner at the time of arrest would have run his car over law enforcement agents to avoid arrest,” he submitted.
“This is not the prosecution’s account of the prisoner’s character. It is the prisoner’s own lawyer giving a vivid account of what transpired on the day of arrest,” the Deputy AG said.
“That was even when nothing was at stake. Not even one day of prison sentence. When the accused person was absolutely innocent and had not been proven guilty. So my lady can imagine today when he is facing a 20-year jail term and has been declared guilty,” Dr Srem-Sai argued.
However, 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
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.
Also, 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_ Justice Srem-Sai has been spotted with Gifty Mawunyo Dumelo esq, wife of John Dumelo, at the Accra High Court. #GHNow #fyp ♬ Gen Z – Fameye
@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. 🇬🇭
