Court rescinds arrest warrant for chairman Wontumi

A bench warrant issued earlier today for the arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been rescinded after he appeared in court shortly after the warrant was issued.

The warrant was issued by the High Court’s Criminal Division around 9:40 a.m., when Chairman Wontumi failed to appear for his scheduled hearing.

However, he and his legal team arrived a little after 10:00 a.m. and requested that the warrant be withdrawn. The court granted their petition at 11:39 a.m.

Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, explained that the defence team had believed the session was a case management conference scheduled for 10:00 a.m., not the earlier time.

Presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, while agreeing to rescind the warrant, cautioned Wontumi to be punctual in future proceedings.

She remarked that if a court appearance is set for 9:00 a.m., he should “lay his bed here at 8:30 a.m.”

The case, involving Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited, concerns alleged unauthorised assignment of mineral rights and facilitation of unlicensed mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The trial has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Criminal Court 4.

Chairman Wontumi remains on GH¢15 million bail with three sureties under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and being placed on a stop list.