Judge withdraws arrest order for Chairman Wontumi, warns him to be punctual

The High Court has revoked the bench warrant it issued earlier on Tuesday for the arrest of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after he appeared in court with his legal team.

The warrant, which was issued around 9:40 a.m., was in effect for nearly two hours before Wontumi arrived in court shortly after 10 a.m. with his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, to plead for its withdrawal. It was officially rescinded by the presiding judge at 11:39 a.m.

Explaining the delay, Mr. Appiah-Kubi told the court that his client had been informed to appear at 10 a.m., hence the timing of his arrival.

After rescinding the warrant, the judge cautioned the NPP regional chairman to ensure punctuality in all future appearances.

Chairman Wontumi is standing trial alongside Kwame Antwi, a director of Akonta Mining Limited, and the company itself. The trio faces charges of assigning mineral rights without lawful authorisation.

The case continues to draw public attention due to Wontumi’s political prominence and his company’s controversial involvement in mining operations.

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