Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has questioned the legal basis of the High Court's judgment against Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, arguing that the ruling raises significant concerns about land ownership and liability.

Commenting on Chairman Wontumi's conviction in the Samreboi illegal mining case, the MP contended that the mere presence of another person working on a landowner's property should not automatically imply that the landowner has transferred his rights or authorised every activity carried out on the land.

According to Mr Awuah, "Merely because somebody is on my land working does not mean I have assigned my interest in the land to that person. That is why I find this judgment very problematic."

He suggested that the court's interpretation could have far-reaching implications for landowners whose properties are used by third parties.

The comments come after the High Court found Chairman Wontumi guilty in the case involving alleged illegal mining activities on the concession of Akonta Mining Company Limited at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The NPP has indicated that it will challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.