The Accra High Court has directed Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in an ongoing illegal mining case after dismissing his application to halt proceedings.

At a sitting on Thursday, April 2, 2026, the court ordered Mr Boasiako to file a witness statement and respond to the charges brought against him.

The ruling follows an earlier decision by Justice Audrey Kokuvie Tay, who rejected a no-case submission filed by the defence. The court held that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence requiring the accused to answer the allegations.

According to the court, the evidence so far establishes a prima facie case against Mr Boasiako, his company Akonta Mining, and a co-accused, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large.

The accused persons are facing charges linked to alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

Prosecutors claim the mining operations were carried out without approval from the sector minister and that unauthorised individuals were permitted to operate on the site.

Lawyers for Mr Boasiako had argued that the prosecution failed to prove key elements of the case, even after cross-examining four witnesses. However, the court dismissed this argument, noting that the evidence presented raises a rebuttable presumption of wrongdoing.

With the no-case submission struck out, the trial now enters the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are expected to respond to the allegations.

Proceedings have been adjourned to April 20, 2026, for case management as the case continues.