Wontumi’s lawyers plead for 15-year minimum sentence as court begins sentencing

His legal team, led by former Attorney-General Samuel Atta Akyea, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, urging the judge to consider a minimum sentence of 15 years rather than the maximum 25 years prescribed for each count.

The court earlier found him guilty on six charges, including assigning mineral rights without approval and purposely facilitating an unlicensed mining operation contrary to the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), as amended.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako, who was found guilty on all six counts relating to activities on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region, was seen repeatedly shaking his head as Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay delivered her judgment and proceeded to hear submissions on sentencing.