"If I Give You 9 a.m., You Must Lay Your Bed Here At 8:30 a.m." - Judge Warns chairman Wontumi

 

The High Court in Accra has issued a stern warning to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his recent absence from court.

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On Tuesday, October 28, a bench warrant had been issued at 9:40 a.m. after Wontumi failed to appear when the case was called at 9:30 a.m. The warrant remained in effect until he and his lawyers arrived after 10 a.m. to request its withdrawal. Justice Audrey Kocuvi-Tay rescinded the warrant at 11:39 a.m., but not without cautioning the NPP chairman on punctuality.

Counsel for Wontumi, Andy Appiah-Kubi, explained that he had advised his client to appear at 10 a.m., believing the case would be called for a management conference. Justice Kocuvi-Tay was clear: “At any given time, he must be in court with or without you. The bench warrant is not against you, it is against him. So if I give you 9 a.m. and it’s 8:30, he should lay his bed here,” she warned.

The case, now adjourned to November 4, 2025, involves charges that Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining, permitted two individuals to carry out mining operations on the company’s concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without ministerial approval. He faces two counts of assigning mineral rights without approval and two counts of facilitating unlicensed mining.

Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining, is also charged but currently at large. Wontumi and the accused have pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of GH¢15,000,000 with three sureties.

The judge’s warning underscores the court’s insistence on strict adherence to procedures and serves as a reminder that public figures are not exempt from legal obligations.