Wontumi’s team begs Mahama, the spokesperson for former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says the legal team is still waiting for official confirmation on whether he is among the 863 convicted persons pardoned by President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah said the team has not received any formal communication from the relevant authorities indicating that Wontumi is a beneficiary of the President’s latest exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
According to a report by Citi Newsroom, Dr Danquah explained that the team would refrain from making definitive comments until it receives official information on the matter.
“We don’t have the fine details yet and so if we are yet to be communicated to, we will let the public know. Our prayer and consideration will be that if we would have our name anywhere at all, it would be within the Special Recommendation or Petition category,” he said.
For now, Dr Boakye Danquah said Wontumi’s team is focused on preparing for his bail application, scheduled for October 15, 2026, while they await the outcome of his appeal.
He expressed optimism that both the appeal and the application for bail pending the determination of the appeal would be successful.
“We are just praying that the appeal goes through and also we are praying that the bail pending the appeal goes through,” he added.
President Mahama exercised the prerogative of mercy under Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution after consulting the Council of State, resulting in the pardon of 863 convicted persons.
The beneficiaries include 819 first-time offenders who have been granted outright release. In addition, 13 prisoners aged 70 and above have been granted full release, while six prisoners suffering from serious illnesses have also been released.
For inmates on death row, the sentences of 11 individuals have been commuted to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, six prisoners serving life sentences will now serve definite 20-year prison terms.
The President also granted full pardons to two individuals based on special recommendations, while three others received pardons following petitions.
Despite the announcement, Wontumi’s representatives say they are yet to establish whether his name appears among those who have benefited from the exercise.
Until official confirmation is received, Dr Boakye Danquah said the team will continue to pursue Wontumi’s legal options, particularly his appeal and upcoming bail application.
