An Accra court has given lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, a final deadline of Thursday, May 28, 2026, to produce any additional witnesses in his ongoing criminal trial.
The directive was issued during proceedings in the case Republic v Bernard Antwi Boasiako & 2 Others after counsel for the accused, Andy Appiah-Kubi, requested more time to call further witnesses following testimony already given by Chairman Wontumi himself.
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem Sai, opposed the application.
He argued that the defence had previously assured the court that the witnesses would be available during the current sitting but failed to produce them.
According to him, the defence had also not filed any witness statements to justify another adjournment of the case.
Justice Srem-Sai further contended that court rules permit the closure of a trial where witnesses are unavailable for cross-examination.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the court granted the defence one final extension.
The judge ruled that the accused persons must present all remaining witnesses by Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The court further warned that failure to do so would lead to the assumption that the defence had no additional witnesses to call.
In that event, the court indicated it would proceed to order final addresses from the parties, if necessary, before fixing a date for judgment.
