The Court of Appeal of Ghana has dismissed a renewed application by Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to stay proceedings in his ongoing criminal trial linked to alleged illegal mining activities in Samreboi.
The ruling effectively ends the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman’s attempt to halt the trial. It follows developments at the Criminal Division of the High Court of Ghana in Accra, where presiding judge Audrey Kocouvi-Tey had earlier issued directives after the accused failed to meet an April 14 deadline.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 21, defence counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi confirmed that the application for a stay of proceedings had been refused. He explained that the motion was a repeat of an earlier request, which the court declined to grant.
According to him, the decision leaves the defence with two principal options: either to pursue a further appeal or return to the trial court to continue proceedings, including filing witness statements and advancing the defence case.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi indicated that the legal team would consult their client before determining the next course of action. He noted that the options under consideration include escalating the matter to the Supreme Court of Ghana or proceeding with the case at the High Court.
The case centres on allegations that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako permitted unauthorised mining activities on his Akonta Mining concession in Samreboi, located in Ghana’s Western Region.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, the High Court directed him to open his defence, outlining options such as testifying personally, calling witnesses, or making an unsworn statement. He had initially been required to file witness statements by March 16.
Instead, he filed an appeal challenging the dismissal of his submission of no case and subsequently sought to halt proceedings pending the outcome of that appeal. The Court of Appeal’s latest ruling clears the way for the trial to proceed unless further legal action is taken.
