The Republic has closed its case against Bernard Antwi-Biasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two co-accused persons—Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large, and Akonta Mining Limited—in an ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) trial.

State Attorneys concluded the Republic’s case on Wednesday after calling four witnesses.

The central allegation is that Chairman Wontumi unlawfully allowed portions of his mining concession at Samreboi to be used for galamsey activities without obtaining the required ministerial approval.

The prosecution’s first witness, identified as a galamsey headman, testified that he supervised several individuals to carry out illegal mining on the concession.

He told the court that he was arrested together with other galamsey operators at an office belonging to Akonta Mining located on the concession.

The second witness, described as the headman’s employer, told the court that he entered into an arrangement with Chairman Wontumi to conduct galamsey operations on the concession and to reclaim degraded land.

He further testified that Chairman Wontumi allegedly used political influence to secure national security protection for the mining activities on the site.

A police detective, who was the third prosecution witness, tendered investigative statements into evidence.

These included a statement in which Chairman Wontumi admitted to giving a portion of his Samreboi concession to the second witness, although he stated that the arrangement was for land reclamation purposes only and not for galamsey. According to the detective’s testimony, no money was provided for the reclamation work.

The fourth witness, a mining law and regulation expert, testified that under Ghana’s mining laws, a concession holder must obtain ministerial approval before allowing another person to carry out mining or related activities on a concession.

The expert told the court that Akonta Mining Limited did not have such approval to permit another person to mine or reclaim the concession.

Following the close of the prosecution’s case, lawyers for Chairman Wontumi informed the court of their intention to file a submission of no case to answer, arguing that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to require their client to open his defence.

The court has granted the defense 14 days to file the submission.

State Attorneys have indicated that they will oppose the application.

The case is expected to continue after the court considers the submission.