New Patriotic Party (NPP) ardent supporter and lawyer, Maurice Ampaw has warned Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine to "be ready for a legal battle" following the conviction of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard "Wontumi" Antwi-Boasiako.

Speaking in an interview shared by Ghana News Stand (GNS), Mr Ampaw said Wontumi's legal team remains committed to appealing both the conviction and the 20-year prison sentence imposed for facilitating illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, on the Akonta Mining concession in the Western Region.

He, however, noted that the appeal would not be easy, alleging that President John Mahama was in control of the judges.

"We'll go for appeal but now that the judiciary is in Mahama's pocket, it will take the grace of God," he alleged.

Mr Ampaw also questioned the independence of the judiciary.

"We've seen that we cannot trust the judges in this country," he said.

He argued that Mr Mahama had, while in opposition, publicly expressed distrust in the judiciary during former President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration, stressing “but he (Mahama) wants us to trust the judges during his current tenure as president”.