Wontumi heads to Court of Appeal as High Court pushes trial forward

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has escalated his legal battle by filing an application at the Court of Appeal to challenge a High Court ruling ordering him to open his defence in an ongoing criminal trial.

Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing six counts, including allegations of allowing unapproved mining activities and permitting individuals to operate on a concession without authorisation from the sector minister.

Earlier in March, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and directed the accused to file witness statements by April 14, 2026. However, the defence failed to comply.

Lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi told the court the delay was due to processes filed at the Court of Appeal, including an application for a stay of proceedings to halt the trial pending the outcome of the appeal.

But the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, strongly opposed the request, arguing that the accused were not entitled to a stay and urging the court to proceed toward conviction.

Presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay ruled that filing for a stay at the appellate court does not automatically suspend proceedings at the High Court. She noted that the trial would continue unless directed otherwise by the Court of Appeal.

The court has, however, given the accused persons a final window until May 5, 2026, to file their witness statements.

The case has been adjourned to May 7, 2026, as the legal contest shifts simultaneously between the High Court and the Court of Appeal.