Wontumi is a critical culprit in Tano Nimiri illegal mining case – Police investigator

Chief Inspector Eugene Akpo Glover, a police investigator in the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case, has identified former Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as a "critical culprit" in the alleged activities. During cross-examination by Wontumi's lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, Glover stated that Wontumi was not personally operating any mining equipment in the forest, but his agents had.

He identified the first and second prosecution witnesses (PW1 and PW2) as those who had used the equipment. Glover claimed that Wontumi had instructed his agents to mount barriers and signposts in the forest, with these instructions being documented in the evidence presented to the court. He also stated that Wontumi had attempted to restrict forest guards and security personnel from entering the area between August and September 2022, with permission from Akonta Mining management required for lawful activities.

The investigator assured the court that the evidence presented against Wontumi and his alleged associates had been verified and authenticated, although the person allegedly responsible for preventing officials from entering the forest had not been arrested. The case was adjourned for continuation on October 27.