The Accra High Court has adjourned the case involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over alleged activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve to July 31, 2026.

Wontumi appeared before the court in the custody of officers from the Ghana Prison Service following his recent conviction and 20-year sentence in the Samreboi illegal mining case.

The court granted the adjournment after his legal team applied for more time to prepare for the proceedings.

The Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve case is the second matter involving Wontumi to resume in court following his conviction in the Samreboi mining case.

At an earlier hearing on June 17, 2026, a police investigator told the court that investigations conducted into the matter allegedly revealed that Wontumi played a role in directing mining activities within the forest reserve.

Chief Inspector Eugene Akpor Glover, the third prosecution witness, made the claim while responding to questions during cross-examination.

However, Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, challenged the testimony, arguing that the investigator had no personal evidence of Wontumi giving instructions for mining operations.

Chief Inspector Glover admitted that he did not witness Wontumi personally issuing any directives but insisted that findings from the investigation connected him to the alleged activities in the reserve.

Wontumi, Akonta Mining, Kwame Antwi and Owusu Bempah are facing charges related to alleged illegal mining operations in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Western Region.

Akonta Mining has also been charged with unlawfully cutting trees within a forest reserve and putting up structures without written approval from the appropriate forestry authorities, offences under Section 1(1)(a) of the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), as amended by Section 1 of the Forest Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 624).

Chairman Wontumi is facing two counts of allegedly aiding the unauthorised destruction of trees in a forest reserve, contrary to the Forest Protection Act, 1974 (NRCD 243), as amended, and Section 20(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The accused persons have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and remain on bail while the trial continues.