Lawyers for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have formally applied to the High Court to postpone the delivery of judgment in the criminal case involving him and Akonta Mining Limited, arguing that his newly appointed legal team requires additional time to adequately prepare for the proceedings.
The application was filed by former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament and lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, who recently assumed legal representation of Wontumi and Akonta Mining after the withdrawal of their previous counsel, Andy Appiah Kubi. According to court documents, Atta Akyea is asking the court to defer the scheduled July 3, 2026 judgment date to allow him sufficient time to obtain certified records of proceedings and study the case in detail before the court delivers its final decision.
The development follows a significant change in the defence team shortly after the close of the defence’s case. Earlier this month, Appiah Kubi sought to withdraw from representing Wontumi and his company. Although the court dismissed the application, it clarified that in criminal matters a lawyer does not necessarily require the court’s permission to cease acting for a client, describing the issue as one that primarily concerns the relationship between lawyer and client.
In an affidavit supporting the latest application, Atta Akyea stated that he was formally engaged on June 19, 2026, after the withdrawal of the previous lawyer. He explained that he immediately requested certified copies of the court proceedings and other documents filed in the case but had not yet received them from the court registry. Without access to the full record, he argues that he cannot effectively familiarise himself with the evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments that have been presented throughout the trial.
The defence maintains that the request is necessary to protect the constitutional rights of the accused persons and ensure that they receive effective legal representation throughout every stage of the criminal process. Atta Akyea argues that the charges facing his clients are serious and could have significant consequences, making it essential for new counsel to fully understand the proceedings before judgment is delivered.
According to the application, granting the postponement would not prejudice the prosecution’s case but would instead strengthen public confidence in the justice system by demonstrating that all parties are being given a fair opportunity to present and defend their positions. The defence further insists that the request is not intended to delay justice but rather to ensure that justice is delivered fairly and transparently.
The criminal trial itself has attracted national attention because of Wontumi’s prominent role within the opposition NPP and the allegations surrounding mining activities in the Samreboi area of the Western Region. Wontumi and Akonta Mining are facing charges linked to allegations that mineral rights were assigned or mining activities facilitated without the necessary ministerial approval, contrary to provisions of Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act. The accused persons have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The trial reached a critical stage on June 3, 2026, when the defence closed its case after presenting its final witness. Following the conclusion of testimony, the High Court fixed July 3, 2026, as the date for judgment. The court also directed parties wishing to file written submissions to do so before the stipulated deadline.
One of the final witnesses called by the defence, Evans Addae, an assembly member from the Samreboi Atigarikrom Electoral Area, testified that illegal mining activities had continued on the concession area for several years but insisted they were not being carried out under the direction of Wontumi or Akonta Mining. The defence sought to use this testimony to challenge the prosecution’s claims linking the accused persons to the alleged activities.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem Sai, has maintained that sufficient evidence exists to support the charges and has opposed attempts that could unnecessarily prolong the proceedings. The court is now expected to determine whether the application for postponement has merit and whether the July 3 judgment date should remain in place.
The outcome of the application could significantly influence the timeline of one of Ghana’s most closely watched mining related criminal cases. If the request is granted, the judgment could be delayed to allow the new legal team more time to prepare. If rejected, the court is likely to proceed with delivering its verdict on the scheduled date.
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