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Private legal practitioner Samuel Atta Akyea has refuted claims that he formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to grant a presidential pardon to his client, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over a galamsey-related case.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Tuesday, October 13, Mr Atta Akyea categorically denied making such a request when questioned about whether he had approached the President for clemency.
“No, please. We didn’t do that,” he stated.
Despite denying any formal petition, the lawyer indicated that he had anticipated President Mahama might consider granting Mr Boasiako a pardon, considering the widespread nature of illegal mining in Ghana.
He argued that the scale of galamsey and the alleged involvement of influential individuals in the practice could have informed the President’s consideration of cases connected to illegal mining.
“Also, when the case was galamsey-related, we thought that the president, in his own mercy, would say that, look, the nation is awash with galamsey,” Mr Atta Akyea said.
He further suggested that he expected the President to exercise leniency rather than impose a lengthy prison sentence in a case involving illegal mining.
“Even we have some evidence that serious people in the party—that is what their daily bread is all about. I will not use a galamsey-tinted criminal matter to detain a man and let him remain there for 20 years. I’ll grant him pardon,” he said, explaining what he believed the President might consider.
The comments come after President Mahama, on October 5, granted presidential pardons to 863 convicted persons in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution, following consultations with the Council of State.
The pardons were announced as part of activities marking Ghana’s Independence Anniversary.