The High Court in Accra has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi is standing trial for allegedly permitting two individuals to undertake mining operations on his company’s concession without obtaining the necessary approval from the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
When the case was called at 9:40 am today, the court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, was scheduled to hold a case management conference involving both the defence and state prosecutors.
However, both the accused and his lawyer were absent.
The presiding judge therefore issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused.
“Having not given any notice to the court as to their absence, a bench warrant is issued for the arrest of the accused persons,” Justice Kocuvi-Tay ruled.
Chairman Wontumi later arrived in court at 10:15 a.m., but the warrant remains in force until the judge, who is currently on recess, formally rescinds it.
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