The jailed Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has made his first appearance at the Accra High Court in connection with the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako arrived at the court in a prison bus and was escorted by prison officers after spending two nights in custody following his 20-year prison sentence in the separate Samreboi illegal mining case.

The embattled politician, dressed in a neatly tucked white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, was ushered into the courtroom through a rear entrance in an apparent move to avoid public attention.

The Tano Nimiri case forms part of separate legal proceedings involving allegations related to illegal mining activities. Antwi-Boasiako was convicted on six counts under Section 99 of Ghana's Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act 2019. The charges centred on unlawfully assigning mineral rights without ministerial authorisation and facilitating illegal mining within a protected forest area through Akonta Mining Limited. The corporate entity was also convicted and fined separately.

His appearance before the court comes while he is serving a custodial sentence imposed after he was convicted over illegal mining activities linked to the Samreboi concession in the Western Region.

The Tano Nimiri case forms part of separate legal proceedings involving allegations related to illegal mining activities, with Mr Antwi-Boasiako expected to face the court as the matter progresses.

The development comes amid heightened public interest following his recent conviction, which has triggered political reactions and legal debate, with the NPP indicating its intention to pursue available legal avenues.

The court is expected to continue with proceedings in the Tano Nimiri case as the parties present their respective arguments.