The High Court’s Criminal Division, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, on Monday, July 20, convicted Mr Antwi Boasiako on all six charges in a high-profile illegal mining (galamsey) case.

The charges included assigning mineral rights without the required ministerial approval and intentionally facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.

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In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of 10,000 penalty units. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-year prison term.

Speaking on JoyNews on Tuesday, July 21, Dr Boakye-Danquah said the verdict came as a surprise, insisting the defence expected the judgment to be postponed because of pending legal applications.

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He said:

He explained that one application challenged the constitutional interpretation of aspects of the case before the Supreme Court, while the other sought a stay of execution because the defence lawyer was out of the country and expected to return on Wednesday.

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Dr Boakye-Danquah also revealed what he described as Chairman Wontumi’s final message before he was transported to prison.

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Meanwhile, the NPP has criticised the High Court’s decision, arguing that the conviction was based on assumptions and inferences rather than evidence that met the legal threshold of proof beyond reasonable doubt. The party has indicated that it will challenge the ruling on appeal.