Thomas Andy Owusu, an aide to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was found guilty by the High Court today of corruption related to unlawful mining licensing.
The court accepted a plea deal entered under section 71 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), and Owusu, the second accused in the case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue & Others, was found guilty on his own plea.
The charges were predicated on accepting a bribe to influence a public official and corrupting a public official.
This case is related to Tiger Eye PI’s 2019 “Galamsey Fraud Part One” investigation, which found that Owusu and Charles Bissue, a former presidential adviser, helped facilitate unlawful mining licenses for bribes by circumventing formal procedures.
The agreement states that Owusu will pay:
• A fine of 500 penalty units (equivalent to GHS 6,000), and
• Restitution of GHS 200,000 to the state.
He received GHS 15,000 as payment for persuading a public official to forego the licensing requirements.
After he was found guilty, the court dismissed the two accusations against him: accepting a bribe to influence a public official and corrupting a public official.
Charles Bissue, the first accused, is charged with using public office for profit in violation of section 179C(b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Owusu’s conviction limits the case to concentrating only on him.
He has a planned Case Management Conference on June 10, 2025, when his trial will resume.
Source: newsthemegh.com