The Court of Appeal has denied a new attempt by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, to stop his ongoing criminal trial at the High Court related to the Samreboi mining case. This decision is a setback for his efforts to suspend the proceedings while the appellate court reviews a previous ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay. This ruling required Chairman Wontumi to present his defence regarding allegations that he allowed unauthorised mining activities on his Samreboi concession.
His legal team argued that the trial should be paused until the appeal on this ruling is resolved. However, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal have rejected that request. In its decision on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal held that the application failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances that would justify a stay of proceedings, effectively clearing the way for the trial to continue at the High Court.
The ruling means the substantive criminal case remains active, with the High Court expected to proceed unless further legal intervention is secured. Meanwhile, lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi said that the defence team is reviewing its options and will decide on its next steps.
These could include a renewed application at the Supreme Court or a return to the High Court to proceed with opening the defence, depending on legal strategy.
Source: Hanson Agyemang
