Martin Kpebu

Also known as: Mr. Kpebu · Mr Kpebu

Private legal practitioner who provides commentary on high-profile legal cases including prosecutorial authority, mining convictions, and bail conditions in Ghana.

2026-04-272026-08-02

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

July 2026
21 JulJoy Online
… Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu argued that the conviction reflects what many Ghanaians have long demanded — action against the powerful figures behind illegal mining rather than only lower-level operators. …
A big fish has fallen – Kpebu says Wontumi conviction signals new era in galamsey fight
21 JulJoy Online
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “kingpin” in Ghana’s illegal mining sector. …
Wontumi was the kingpin, not the underling – Martin Kpebu
21 JulJoy Online
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as a “kingpin” in Ghana’s illegal mining sector. …
Wontumi was the kingpin, not the underling – Martin Kpebu
20 JulJoy Online
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has defended the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, describing the judgment as fair, well-reasoned and firmly grounded in the evidence presented dur …
Court’s judgment against Wontumi was fair and sound – Martin Kpebu
20 JulJoy Online
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says the conviction of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was inevitable given the evidence presented during the trial. …
Wontumi was bound to be convicted after prosecution witness’ testimony – Martin Kpebu
20 JulJoy Online
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed doubts about the prospects of an appeal by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), following his conviction and 20-year prison sentence. …
Martin Kpebu sees no strong grounds to overturn Wontumi’s conviction
20 JulJoy Online
… According to him, he personally joined private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu and two other campaigners in petitioning the authorities and had followed the case from its inception until judgment. …
Wontumi should have received maximum 25-year sentence — Ken Ashigbey
20 JulJoy Online
… According to him, the coalition formally petitioned the then Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police, while he personally joined private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu and two other campaigners in pursuing the matter. …
Wontumi’s conviction should open wider galamsey crackdown — Kenneth Ashigbey
14 JulJoy Online
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Dennis Miracles Aboagye, describing them as too difficult for many Ghanaians to satisfy. …
Remove ‘justified sureties’ requirement – Martin Kpebu calls for bail reforms
14 JulJoy Online
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called for a more practical approach to bail conditions, arguing that some requirements make it unnecessarily difficult for suspects to secure their release. …
If he wanted to flee, he wouldn’t have returned to Ghana – Kpebu on Miracles Aboagye’s GH¢50m bail

Politics

Supreme Court affirms AG authority over OSP prosecutions

The News

Lawyer Martin Kpebu has welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the Attorney-General retains authority to discontinue prosecutions initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, describing it as a constitutional safeguard that will check the anti-corruption agency's power. Kpebu explained that the ruling confirms the OSP exercises prosecutorial powers on behalf of the Attorney-General, who alone holds constitutional authority to prosecute criminal cases.

30 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 30 July

Supreme Court affirms AG authority over OSP prosecutions
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that the Attorney-General retains authority to discontinue prosecutions initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, describing it as a constitutional safeguard that will check the anti-corruption agency's power. Kpebu explained that the ruling confirms the OSP exercises prosecutorial powers on behalf of the Attorney-General, who alone holds constitutional authority to prosecute criminal cases.
30 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 29 July

Supreme Court affirms Attorney General's supervisory authority over OSP
The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling has established that the Attorney General retains supervisory authority over the Office of the Special Prosecutor and can intervene to prevent abuse of prosecutorial powers, according to legal practitioner Martin Kpebu. The judgment clarifies that prosecutorial powers are exercised under the constitutional authority of the Attorney General.
29 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 26 July

Legal vacation could delay Wontumi's bail application hearing
Lawyer Martin Kpebu says NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) may wait until October for a hearing on his bail pending appeal, due to the courts' annual vacation before the new legal year. Wontumi's legal team plans to appeal his 20-year sentence for illegal mining after his conviction.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 22 July

Legal practitioner claims Ofori-Atta's lawyers influenced US court Green Card decision
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has alleged that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's legal team, which he says has strong political connections to President Donald Trump, played a major role in a US court's decision to grant Ofori-Atta a Green Card. Kpebu further argued that the judge exceeded his mandate by commenting on criminal allegations against the former minister.
22 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 21 July

CEO denies influencing Wontumi trial or judge relationship
Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, has denied claims that a personal relationship with the trial judge influenced the outcome of the illegal mining case against NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. He described as "fabrication" reports that he expressed confidence Wontumi would be convicted because the judge was his sister-in-law.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer: Wontumi's mining defence collapsed under court scrutiny
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu said NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako's 20-year prison sentence for illegal mining offences in the Samreboi concession case was driven by the weakness of his own defence. Kpebu argued that Akonta Mining, the company linked to Wontumi, held the concession, making him responsible for unauthorised mining activities carried out there.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Kpebu: Wontumi conviction driven by weak defence, not technicality
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu said NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako's conviction on illegal mining charges was caused by the weakness of his own defence, calling his reclamation-work explanation a "cock-and-bull story" that did not withstand court evidence. Kpebu argued that as directing mind of Akonta Mining, which held the Samreboi concession, Wontumi was responsible for mining activities there and had admitted to allowing operations without ministerial approval.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Wontumi convicted, sentenced 20 years for illegal mining
The High Court convicted Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) of illegal mining offences at the Samreboi mining concession and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. Legal analyst Martin Kpebu said Wontumi's own admission that he allowed another person to operate on his mining concession without ministerial authorisation strengthened the prosecution's case.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Wontumi convicted in Samreboi illegal mining case; sentenced 20 years
The High Court convicted NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) of illegal mining offences related to the Samreboi mining concession and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment. Legal analyst Martin Kpebu noted that Wontumi's admission of allowing Henry Okum to operate on his concession without the minister's required approval effectively strengthened the prosecution's case.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP Ashanti Chairman Wontumi convicted in mining case, signals shift
Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, has been convicted by the High Court in Accra and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment over the Samreboi mining concession case, becoming the highest-profile political figure convicted in Ghana's fight against illegal mining. Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says the conviction reflects action against the powerful figures behind galamsey that Ghanaians have long demanded, shifting the anti-mining campaign's focus from lower-level operators to influential kingpins.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP chairman Wontumi convicted, sentenced to 20 years in galamsey case
Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, has been convicted by a High Court in Accra and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment over the Samreboi mining concession case, making him the highest-profile political figure convicted in Ghana's fight against illegal mining. Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu said the conviction signals authorities are now targeting powerful figures behind galamsey operations rather than only lower-level operators.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer says Wontumi conviction targets galamsey kingpin, not underling
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described Chairman Wontumi, recently convicted and sentenced to 20 years for illegal mining, as a "kingpin" in Ghana's illegal mining sector, arguing that the conviction reflects authorities targeting masterminds rather than subordinates. The conviction has sparked debate because two individuals who admitted involvement in illegal mining testified as prosecution witnesses and were not prosecuted.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer: Wontumi conviction targets kingpin, not underling
Lawyer Martin Kpebu has described convicted illegal miner Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) as a "kingpin" in Ghana's illegal mining sector, arguing the 20-year prison sentence reflects demands to target masterminds rather than subordinates. The conviction has sparked debate because two individuals who admitted involvement in the illegal mining activities testified as prosecution witnesses and were not prosecuted.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

Lawyer defends Wontumi conviction as fair and well-reasoned
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described the conviction of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) as fair and well-reasoned, noting the judge's sound analysis. Kpebu cited the prosecution's evidence, including testimony from a witness who admitted carrying out illegal mining activities and stated that Wontumi had given him access to the concession where the mining took place.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Wontumi conviction inevitable after witness testimony, lawyer says
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu argues that NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako's conviction was inevitable given prosecution witness testimony, particularly from the person who conducted the mining activities and testified that Wontumi gave him access to the concession. Kpebu described the case as "an open and shut case" because the mining activities were unauthorised and the witness testimony went uncontradicted.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer Kpebu sees weak grounds for Wontumi appeal
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed doubts about the appeal prospects of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), who was convicted and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment in connection with illegal mining. Speaking on Joy FM, Kpebu said he had not identified compelling legal grounds that could lead an appellate court to overturn the High Court's decision, though Wontumi's legal team has indicated its intention to appeal.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Media Coalition convenor says Wontumi deserved harsher sentence
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, said he would have preferred the Accra High Court to impose the maximum 25-year custodial sentence on NPP Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), who received 20 years' imprisonment for illegal mining. Ashigbey argued that those who finance and facilitate illegal mining deserve the harshest punishment available under law.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Wontumi conviction signals wider crackdown on galamsey activists
Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, has called the conviction and 20-year sentencing of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) over illegal mining on the Samreboi concession a landmark moment, urging it to trigger a broader crackdown on politically exposed persons involved in galamsey.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 14 July

Lawyer calls for reform of Ghana's bail surety requirements
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised bail conditions imposed on Dennis Miracles Aboagye, saying the requirement for justified sureties and property verification is too difficult and time-consuming for many Ghanaians to satisfy, extending beyond the GH¢50 million bail amount itself.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer Kpebu argues Miracles Aboagye unlikely to flee Ghana
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has called for more practical bail conditions, arguing that Dennis Miracles Aboagye is unlikely to abscond given that he travelled outside Ghana and returned. Kpebu also raised concerns about surety requirements for registered properties, noting that non-registered properties in Ghana outnumber registered ones.
14 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 6 July

Legal expert: attempting withdrawal from frozen account is permissible
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has stated that it is legally permissible to attempt to withdraw money from a frozen bank account, even though the transaction may ultimately fail. His comments follow the arrest of former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba at Accra International Airport on Saturday night, after investigators said he allegedly attempted to withdraw funds from a frozen account before travelling to the United Kingdom.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 16 June

Green card gives Ofori-Atta stronger legal protections against extradition
Private lawyer Martin Kpebu said former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta's reported acquisition of US permanent residency significantly strengthens his position against extradition to Ghana, as the process would be lengthy and complex and US authorities retain discretion in such matters.
16 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Extradition of Ofori-Atta would face lengthy, complex legal battle
Lawyer Martin Kpebu says any Ghanaian attempt to extradite former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta from the United States would be a complicated and protracted process, especially given his permanent residency status and legal representation.
16 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ofori-Atta's health could influence U.S. extradition decision
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu suggests that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's health condition could become a significant factor in any U.S. extradition decision, as American authorities retain discretionary powers including humanitarian grounds that could affect whether or when he is returned to Ghana.
16 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 11 June

Lawyer explains plea bargain outcomes beyond guilt admission
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has clarified that plea bargaining in Ghana's legal framework does not automatically mean admission of guilt, noting that negotiations between an accused person and the state can result in charge withdrawal, reduced sentences, or other outcomes beyond conviction.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Legal expert backs plea bargain in GH¢30m Exim Bank case
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has endorsed a proposed plea bargain arrangement in the Exim Bank fraud case involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, arguing that recovering public funds should take priority over the accused's profile or case magnitude. Kpebu stated that plea bargaining is a legitimate legal mechanism that should be considered on its merits rather than emotions or political considerations.
11 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 10 June

Defence to call investigator as star witness in Tano Nnimire case
Defence counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako in the Tano Nnimire illegal mining trial told an Accra High Court on Monday that he intends to use Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Akpoh Glover as a "star witness." During cross-examination, the investigator maintained his findings were factual but acknowledged he had no direct evidence placing Boasiako at the mining site and had not personally met the listed complainants.
10 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
Defence to use investigator as star witness in Wontumi trial
Defence counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi), on trial in an illegal mining case, told Accra High Court on Monday that he plans to treat Detective Chief Inspector Eugene Akpoh Glover as a "star witness" after the prosecution withdrew two witnesses. Under cross-examination, Glover maintained his findings were factual but acknowledged there was no direct evidence placing Boasiako at the Tano Nnimire Forest Reserve site and that investigations indicated Boasiako had not personally been there.
10 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 25 May

Ghana's legal system delays frustrate reform advocates
A legal scholar and commentary on Ghana's justice system notes persistent court delays and systemic failures despite widespread recognition of problems by prominent lawyers and legal experts. The article illustrates how delayed justice affects ordinary Ghanaians—market vendors in land disputes, unafforded youth, and accused persons awaiting trial.
25 May 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
NPP chairman challenges illegal mining case in High Court
Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako testified before the High Court that individuals who claimed ownership of seized items have been turned into prosecution witnesses against him, while denying involvement in illegal mining activities on a concession where he serves as director.
25 May 2026 · The Chronicle →