Legal proceedings involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have taken a new turn as his legal team moves to halt the ongoing trial while challenging a key High Court decision.
The New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman has filed an interlocutory appeal against a recent ruling that dismissed his submission of no case and ordered him to open his defence in an alleged illegal mining case.
His lawyers are also seeking a stay of proceedings, arguing that the trial should be paused until the appeal is determined. The application is scheduled to be heard on April 16, 2026.
At Thursday’s sitting, lead counsel Andy Appiah Kubi informed the court of the pending appeal, while the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem Sai, indicated that the state would not oppose the request to temporarily halt proceedings. However, the state intends to address specific legal issues and has asked the court to expedite the hearing process.
Presiding judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie Tay subsequently adjourned the case to April 2, 2026.
Boasiako, alongside his company, Akonta Mining Limited, and a former operations manager, faces allegations of undertaking mining activities in a forest reserve in Samreboi in the Western Region. The defence maintains that the operations were conducted with proper authorisation.
The case now hinges on the outcome of the appeal, which could determine whether the trial proceeds immediately or is suspended pending further judicial review.
