The Attorney-General (AG) has opposed an application by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, for bail pending appeal, arguing that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, currently serving a 20-year prison term, represents a substantial flight risk.

Mr. Boasiako was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty on two counts: assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval and deliberately facilitating an unlicensed mining operation on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.

In an affidavit opposing the bail application filed at the High Court in Accra, State Attorney Priscilla Lartey stated that the grounds of appeal lodged by Mr Boasiako disclosed no reasonable prospect of success.

The affidavit, sworn on behalf of the Attorney-General, urged the court to dismiss the application for bail pending appeal.

The prosecution contended that, contrary to assertions in Mr Boasiako’s application, he posed a significant risk of absconding.

That assessment was bolstered, the affidavit said, by statements attributed to his former legal counsel during a television interview, in which the lawyer reportedly remarked that, “but for the management of Mr Boasiako’s character, he had been determined to resist arrest or breach his bail conditions.”

The prosecution submitted a recording of the interview as an exhibit to the affidavit.

The State further argued that the risk of flight was increased by the fact that Mr Boasiako faces other ongoing prosecutions and, if convicted in those matters, could be sentenced to many more years in prison.

The Attorney-General also challenged Mr Boasiako’s contention that his physical presence was required for his lawyers to prepare written addresses in support of his appeal.

The prosecution asserted that the trial process had effectively concluded and that his attendance was therefore unnecessary for counsel to prepare the appeal documents.

According to the affidavit, the applicant himself disclosed previous encounters with the law, which the prosecution said added weight to the flight-risk assessment.

However, the State also rejected the suggestion that the application disclosed special or exceptional circumstances warranting bail pending appeal, maintaining that the submission failed to satisfy the requirements for the court to exercise discretion in Mr Boasiako’s favour.

The Attorney-General therefore asked the High Court to summarily dismiss the application.