Wontumi is a critical culprit in Tano Nimiri illegal mining case – Police investigator

A police investigator in the case involving former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has described him 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 assertion during cross-examination by Wontumi’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, at the High Court on Monday, October 26.

Asked who he had identified as 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, however, admitted that Wontumi had not personally operated any mining equipment in the forest, but insisted that his 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 Mr Atta Akyea questioned whether the agents could have acted contrary to their employer’s instructions, Chief Inspector Glover maintained that the agents had acted in the interests of A1 (Akonta Mining) and Chairman Wontumi and for their benefit.

He also told the court that Wontumi had instructed his agents to mount barriers and signposts in the forest, insisting that the alleged instructions were captured in the evidence before the court.

The defence lawyer challenged the investigator’s account, suggesting that his understanding of the case was based largely on hearsay.

But Chief Inspector Glover rejected the suggestion, explaining that his conclusions were based on several investigative methods, including witness interviews, site inspections, drone surveillance and a review of documents.

He further cited Wontumi’s caution statement in 2021 and a letter allegedly written by PW1 to the Western Regional Security Council seeking assistance to drive away illegal miners from the concession.

A copy of the letter, he said, was personally handed to the police during interrogation.

Mr Atta Akyea argued that the letter demonstrated Wontumi’s opposition to illegal mining, but the investigator disagreed.

Chief Inspector Glover also told the court that between August and September 2022, security personnel from Akonta Mining took control of the forest and restricted forest guards and other security personnel from entering the area.

According to him, persons seeking to conduct lawful activities in the forest were required to obtain permission from Akonta Mining management and surrender their phones before being allowed entry.

He said the situation was documented in a police report submitted to the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police.

When the defence lawyer demanded evidence that A1 and A2 were engaged in illegal mining, the investigator maintained that he had gathered what he described as “clear and convincing evidence” linking them to the activities.

He said the evidence had been captured in exhibits tendered before the court.

Chief Inspector Glover also defended the credibility of 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 who was said to have prevented officials from entering the forest had not been arrested and was currently at large.

He told the court that video evidence corroborating the allegation had been tendered in evidence.

The case was adjourned to Tuesday, October 27, at 9:30 a.m. by Justice Rugby Aryeetey for continuation