The High Court in Accra has rescinded a bench warrant for the arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, who had arrived late in court without permission.
On Tuesday, October 28, when the case was called at 9:40 a.m., the team of state prosecutors led by Stella Ohene Appiah, a Chief State Attorney, was present. However, the accused person and his lawyers were absent without any explanation.
Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay, the presiding judge, noted that the business for the day was for disclosure to be filed and subsequent case management.
She stated, “however, from the submissions of counsel for the Republic, the exercise will not be executed today. Notwithstanding this inability on the part of the Republic, the accused person and his legal representative are absent in court with no excuse of any sort to the court.”
The court explained that on October 7, 2025, when bail was granted and the matter was adjourned to October 28, it did not fix a specific time for the accused person and his lawyers to be in court, which means they should have been in court by 9 a.m. for the business of the day to start.
Justice Kocuvi-Tay added, “Having not given any notice to the court as to their absence, a bench warrant is issued for the arrest of the accused.”
Bench Warrant Rescinded
Few minutes after the bench warrant was issued, Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers, led by Andy Appiah Kubi, arrived.
Counsel apologized to the court and explained that it was based on his advice that his client was late to the courtroom.
He said they were under the impression that the case would be heard at 10 a.m., which is why they arrived a few minutes before that time.
The court responded that the matter before the court was between the Republic and the accused, not the lawyer, and therefore he ought to appear in court on time.
After hearing counsel and the court expressing strong views, the presiding judge rescinded the bench warrant.
“Having listened to counsel for the accused person, the bench warrant is rescinded with a strong warning to the accused person to be punctual in court on any given dates,” the court said.
According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the bench warrant was issued around 9:48 a.m. and was rescinded by 11:40 a.m.
Chairman Wontumi has been charged together with Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining, and Akonta Mining, the company itself, for allegedly assigning mineral rights without approval.
They had pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Story by: Murtala Inusah.
