Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has urged the High Court in Accra to reject a bail application by New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that his circumstances do not justify his release pending appeal.
Wontumi is seeking bail while he appeals his 20-year prison sentence. His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, moved the application before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.
Opposing the application, Dr Srem-Sai argued that Wontumi has strong incentives to abscond because he is also facing criminal trials in two other courts, where he could receive additional prison terms.
“It is a fact, and the affidavit in support in paragraph 15 has confirmed that the prisoner is standing trial in two other criminal courts, each of those trials staring the prisoner in the face with substantial prison terms which, as the law prescribes, would be served consecutively instead of concurrently,” he told the court.
He said the possibility of facing further sentences made it difficult to rely on Wontumi’s previous compliance with bail conditions as proof that he would remain available for trial.
The Deputy Attorney-General also cited a video recording in which Wontumi’s lawyer was allegedly seen on television describing his client as unruly during an earlier incident.
“We have also deposed and exhibited a video recording, and in that video recording, counsel for the accused was seen on television telling the public that his client, that is the prisoner, is unruly and that but for his exceptional personal management skill, the prisoner at the time of arrest would have run his car over law enforcement agents to avoid arrest,” he submitted.
Dr Srem-Sai stressed that the description came from Wontumi’s own lawyer, not the prosecution.
“This is not the prosecution’s account of the prisoner’s character. It is the prisoner’s own lawyer giving a vivid account of what transpired on the day of arrest,” he said.
He added that the alleged incident occurred before Wontumi had been convicted or sentenced, arguing that the circumstances were now more serious because he faces a 20-year jail term.
“That was even when nothing was at stake. Not even one day of prison sentence. When the accused person was absolutely innocent and had not been proven guilty. So my lady can imagine today when he is facing a 20-year jail term and has been declared guilty,” he argued.
Dr Srem-Sai asked the court to dismiss the application, maintaining that the defence had not established exceptional circumstances to warrant bail.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay has scheduled November 4, 2026, to deliver her ruling.
