Don’t be one minute late on November 4, Wontumi warned

The Criminal Division Four of the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, has issued a stern warning to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, that if he is even one minute late to court on November 4, 2025, his bail will be revoked.

The warning followed the politician’s late arrival to court on Tuesday morning for the continuation of a criminal case in which he is standing trial together with his company, Akonta Mining Limited, and one other person, Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large.

The case, which was scheduled to be heard at 9:00 a.m., had to proceed in Wontumi’s absence, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Under court rules, accused persons can only be absent with an official excuse duty or express permission from the court—conditions which Wontumi had not fulfilled.

However, just minutes after the warrant was issued, Chairman Wontumi appeared in court in his usual lacoste and per of jeans.

By that time, the judge had already risen, leaving him seated quietly on the front bench as his legal team and some party supporters arrived.

At 11:30 a.m., the case was recalled, and Justice Kocuvie-Tay questioned why the accused had been absent when the matter was first called.

Lead counsel for the accused, Andy Appiah-Kubi, quickly rose to take responsibility, explaining that he had mistakenly told his client that the case would be called at 10:00 a.m.

But the judge rejected the explanation, emphasizing that the responsibility to appear on time lay squarely with the accused.

“This case is not against you, counsel; it is against the accused. Whether a chicken stepped on your foot or not, I don’t care. If I say 9:00, he must be here,” Justice Kocuvie-Tay retorted.

After hearing counsel’s plea, the court rescinded the bench warrant but cautioned the accused in strong terms.

“Having listened to counsel for the accused person, the bench warrant is hereby rescinded with a strong warning to the accused. This matter is adjourned to November 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. sharp,” the judge ruled.

Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, have pleaded not guilty to charges of assignment of mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.

The case continues on November 4, 2025.

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