The defence team of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has undergone a change with the appointment of seasoned lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea to handle his representation in the ongoing Samreboi illegal mining trial.
The development follows a series of courtroom exchanges in which the defence team indicated its intention to disengage from the matter, prompting a restructuring of Wontumi’s legal representation ahead of the next phase of proceedings.
Mr. Atta Akyea, a former legislator and experienced legal practitioner, is expected to formally enter his appearance in court and assume full conduct of the defence as the case progresses.
Court records indicate that the Samreboi illegal mining trial continues to move through procedural stages, with the prosecution and defence both preparing for the substantive hearing of evidence.
The case involves allegations that Chairman Wontumi and co-accused persons engaged in unauthorised mining-related activities in Samreboi, including the assignment of mineral rights without approval and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.
Akonta Mining Limited, the company linked to the Ashanti Regional NPP chairman, is also on trial alongside Kwame Antwi, who is currently at large. All accused persons have denied the charges and are contesting the allegations in court.
With the new legal team in place, attention is now focused on the next sitting of the court, where further directions are expected as the trial advances toward its scheduled hearing stages.
