The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from police custody after fulfilling bail requirements set by the High Court in Accra.

His release comes three days after he was granted bail in two separate rulings related to an ongoing illegal mining case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited. Wontumi, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, is accused of facilitating unlicenced mining operations and unlawfully assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.

In the first ruling, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay granted him bail to the tune of GHC15 million with three sureties, two of whom were required to justify with landed property.

In a second case before Justice Ruby Aryeetey, both Wontumi and his co-accused, Edward Akuoko (Operations Manager at Akonta Mining), were granted bail of GHC10 million each, with two sureties, one to be justified with property.

Although the bail was granted on Tuesday, October 7, administrative delays meant Wontumi remained in custody overnight. His legal team had confirmed that the court’s administrative offices had closed before the bond could be executed.

“We intend to go back to the court on [Wednesday], attend to the registrar, and ensure the needed administrative processes are duly followed,” his lawyer Enoch Afoakwa told Citi Eyewitness News earlier in the week.

He is expected to reappear in court later this month as the trial continues.