A police investigator has described former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “critical culprit” in the alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest.
Chief Inspector Eugene Akpo Glover, the fourth prosecution witness, made the statement during cross-examination by Wontumi’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, at the High Court on Monday, October 26.
When asked to identify who he considered a critical culprit in the investigation, Chief Inspector Glover told the court that “A2 (Wontumi) is a critical culprit in the ongoing investigation.”
The investigator admitted that Wontumi had not personally operated mining equipment in the forest. However, he maintained that Wontumi’s agents had used mining equipment in the area.
He identified the first and second prosecution witnesses, PW1 and PW2, as among those who had used the equipment.
When Atta Akyea suggested that the agents might have acted against their employer’s instructions, Chief Inspector Glover insisted that they had acted in the interests of Akonta Mining, referred to as A1, and Wontumi, and for their benefit.
He further alleged that Wontumi had instructed his agents to put up barriers and signposts in the forest, adding that the alleged instructions were captured in the evidence before the court.
The defence lawyer challenged the investigator’s account, arguing that his understanding of the case was largely based on hearsay.
Chief Inspector Glover rejected the claim, saying his conclusions were based on several investigative methods, including witness interviews, site inspections, drone surveillance and a review of documents.
He also referred to Wontumi’s caution statement in 2021 and a letter allegedly written by PW1 to the Western Regional Security Council, seeking assistance to remove illegal miners from the concession.
According to the investigator, the letter was personally handed to the police during interrogation.
Atta Akyea argued that the letter showed Wontumi’s opposition to illegal mining, but Chief Inspector Glover disagreed.
The investigator also told the court that security personnel from Akonta Mining took control of the forest between August and September 2022, preventing forest guards and other security personnel from entering the area.
He said people seeking to carry out lawful activities in the forest had to obtain permission from Akonta Mining management and surrender their phones before being allowed to enter.
Chief Inspector Glover said the situation was recorded in a police report submitted to the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police.
When the defence lawyer asked for evidence linking A1 and A2 to illegal mining, the investigator maintained that he had gathered what he described as “clear and convincing evidence” connecting them to the activities.
He said the evidence was contained in exhibits presented before the court.
Chief Inspector Glover also defended the prosecution’s evidence, insisting that the materials presented in court had been verified and authenticated.
However, he acknowledged that the alleged head of security accused of preventing officials from entering the forest had not been arrested and remained at large.
He added that video evidence supporting the allegation had been tendered before the court.
Justice Rugby Aryeetey adjourned the case to Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. for continuation.
Add a clear news headlineMake the court report more concise
