The Attorney-General of Ghana has formally opposed a bail application filed by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, seeking to postpone his trial pending appeal. The application, submitted on behalf of the Attorney-General, argues that Wontumi presents a significant flight risk, demanding the court dismiss the application entirely.
Wontumi, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence following conviction on two counts of assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and facilitating an unlicensed mining operation on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region, is currently serving a lengthy sentence. The sentences are concurrently running.
In an affidavit presented before the High Court in Accra, the State Attorney, Priscilla Lartey, contends that the grounds for appeal filed by Mr. Boasiako lack sufficient merit to secure a successful outcome. The affidavit highlights no reasonable chance of success for the appeal.
Furthermore, the prosecution points to a television interview where Mr. Boasiako’s lawyer reportedly stated that, ‘but for the management of Mr. Boasiako’s character, he had been determined to resist arrest or breach his bail conditions.’
The prosecution attached a video recording of the interview as an exhibit to the affidavit. It further argues that the risk of flight was exacerbated by Mr. Boasiako’s previous legal challenges and the fact that if convicted, he could face imprisonment for a considerable number of years.
The Attorney-General also disputes the claim that Mr. Boasiako’s physical presence is essential for his legal team’s preparation of written addresses supporting his appeal. He asserts that the trial has effectively concluded, rendering his physical presence unnecessary for the legal process.
The prosecution also reveals that Mr. Boasiako had, as disclosed in his affidavit, ‘several brushes with the law.’
The State rejected the claim that the application disclosed special or exceptional circumstances justifying bail pending appeal. It stated that the application did not meet the requirements for the court to exercise its discretion in favor of Mr. Boasiako.
The Attorney-General strongly urges the High Court to summarily dismiss the application, emphasizing the substantial risk of Mr. Boasiako fleeing prosecution.
According to the prosecution, the applicant had, as disclosed in his affidavit, had ‘several brushes with the law.’
The State further rejected the claim that the application disclosed special or exceptional circumstances to warrant the granting of bail pending appeal.
The Attorney-General asserted that the application did not meet the circumstances required for the court to exercise its discretion in favor of Mr. Boasiako.
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Source: Graphic Online
