CHRAJ denies claims linking Deputy Commissioner to Wontumi sentencing

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has dismissed as false social media claims that its Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Mercy Larbi, presided over court proceedings that sentenced New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years’ imprisonment.

In a disclaimer issued on Wednesday, July 22, the Commission said the publication, shared by Facebook user Frank Mandela Bawumia and the TikTok account blakk360, falsely identified Mrs Larbi as the High Court judge responsible for the alleged sentence.

CHRAJ stated unequivocally that Mrs Larbi did not preside over the proceedings in question and is not the judge responsible for the sentencing attributed to her.

“The publication and circulation of her photograph in connection with the sentence are false, misleading, and without factual basis,” the statement said.

The Commission warned that the publication appeared intended to mislead the public, undermine confidence in the administration of justice and unfairly expose the Deputy Commissioner to unwarranted public criticism and reputational harm.

It urged the public to disregard the publication and refrain from sharing or reproducing it.

CHRAJ also appealed to media organisations, bloggers, content creators and the general public to verify information through credible and official sources before publishing or sharing it.

“Our Commission remains committed to upholding its integrity, independence and impartiality of the justice delivery system and will continue to discharge its mandate with professionalism, fairness and fidelity to the rule of law,” the statement added.

This follows the High Court in Accra’s decision to sentence Chairman Wontumi to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts for which he was convicted in the Akonta Mining illegal mining case. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court also fined him 10,000 penalty units on each count.

Akonta Mining Limited, which was also convicted on two counts, was fined 15,000 penalty units on each count.

Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay found Wontumi guilty on Counts One and Four, while Akonta Mining Limited was convicted on Counts Three and Six after ruling that the prosecution had proven all the essential elements of the offences beyond reasonable doubt.