An Accra High Court has rescinded a bench warrant issued against Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Wontumi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The decision followed an appearance by Boasiako and his legal team, led by Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi, who apologised for arriving late.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay cautioned Boasiako, stating, “I don’t want this to happen again. This matter is between the accused and the state. At any given time, you must be in court. Having listened to counsel, the bench warrant is hereby rescinded. You should be in court on time.”
Mr. Appiah-Kubi, addressing the court, said, “I take the blame. I told him (Boasiako) that the matter would be called at 10:00 a.m., and we were in court a few minutes to 10:00 a.m. I sincerely apologise for that.”
The warrant had been issued earlier in the day when Boasiako and his lawyers failed to appear at 9:40 a.m. for a scheduled Case Management Conference. The court noted that no reason had been provided for their absence.
Shortly after the court rose, Boasiako and his legal team arrived and waited for the case to be recalled.
The matter has since been adjourned to November 4, 2025.
The prosecution informed the court that disclosures had not yet been filed, as one of the witnesses had travelled outside the jurisdiction and had not signed his witness statement.
They indicated a preference to avoid serving the court with incomplete documentation.
Boasiako, owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, and another individual, Kwame Antwi, currently at large, are facing charges of assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating unlicensed mining operations at Samreboi in the Western Region.
Boasiako has denied the charges and remains on bail.
