Court of Appeal throws out Wontumi

The Court of Appeal has dismissed a renewed application by Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, seeking a stay of proceedings in his ongoing criminal trial linked to alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.

The application, which was not the substantive appeal, but a request to halt proceedings, was dismissed on the grounds that no exceptional circumstances had been demonstrated to justify the stay.

The ruling effectively ends the New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman’s attempt to suspend the trial.

The decision follows earlier proceedings at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey, where the court ruled against the accused after he failed to meet an April 14 deadline to file witness statements.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 counsel for Mr Antwi-Boasiako, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that the application for stay, filed as a repeat of an earlier request had been refused.

He explained that the court’s decision leaves the defence with two options: either to pursue another application or return to the trial court to continue proceedings by filing witness statements and mounting a defence.

“In summary, the ruling brings our application at the Court of Appeal for a stay to an end,” he stated, adding that the legal team would consult further to determine their next course of action.

The case is expected to proceed at the High Court if the defence opts not to pursue further legal challenges.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako is standing trial over allegations that he permitted unauthorised mining activities on his Akonta Mining concession at Samreboi.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the High Court directed him to open his defence, with options including testifying under oath, calling witnesses, or making an unsworn statement.

He had initially been ordered to file his witness statements by March 16, 2026 but instead filed an appeal challenging the dismissal of his submission of no case and subsequently sought to halt proceedings pending the outcome of that appeal.

 

 

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