The New Patriotic Party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, has declared that Chairman Wontumi was convicted “in circumstances where there was no evidence whatsoever to support a conviction,” as the party held an emergency press conference following the Ashanti Regional Chairman’s sentencing to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
“It was never disputed that Chairman Wontumi lawfully acquired his mineral concession,” Justin Frimpong Kodua said, addressing the party’s position on the Samreboi illegal mining case in which Bernard Antwi-Boasiako was convicted on all six counts by the High Court’s Criminal Court 4 Division.
The press conference followed an emergency meeting convened by NPP leadership, the party’s flagbearer, and its legal team to review Monday’s judgment and determine the party’s next course of action.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay had sentenced Antwi-Boasiako to 20 years on each of two counts, to run concurrently, alongside a fine of 10,000 penalty units per count, equivalent to GH¢120,000, with a default three-year term if unpaid.
Akonta Mining Company Limited, also convicted on two counts, received financial penalties rather than a custodial sentence.
Justin Frimpong Kodua and other NPP officials have described the verdict as a “travesty of justice” and declared Antwi-Boasiako a “political prisoner,” with the party confirming plans to appeal the sentence.
The party has also accused the government of using the conviction to divert attention from other national challenges, while cautioning members against celebrating the verdict as a political victory.
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