Court gives Wontumi final chance to file defence in mining case

Bernard Antwi Bosiako, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has been granted a final opportunity to file his witness statements in the Samreboi illegal mining case, should he choose to do so.

The decision follows his failure to meet an April 14, 2026, deadline set by the court. Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is standing trial over allegations that he permitted mining activities on his Akonta Mining concession in Samreboi without authorization from the sector minister.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the court directed him to open his defence and outlined his legal options, including testifying in person, calling witnesses, or making an unsworn statement.

He was initially instructed to file his witness statements by March 16, 2026.

Instead, Chairman Wontumi filed an appeal challenging the submission of no case at the Court of Appeal and subsequently applied to the trial court to halt proceedings pending the outcome of that appeal.

The application was rejected, and he was ordered to file his witness statements by April 14, 2026, if he intended to proceed with his defence ahead of a case management conference.

However, when the case was called on Monday, April 20, at the High Court for a case management conference, his legal team had yet to comply.

His lawyers informed the court that a repeat application seeking a stay of proceedings had been filed at the Court of Appeal and requested an adjournment until a ruling is delivered.

The request was opposed by Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai, who described the move as a delay tactic.

He argued that filing a repeat application does not automatically entitle the accused to a stay of proceedings and urged the court to proceed to conviction, citing what he characterized as a failure by the accused to mount a defence.

Presiding judge Audrey Kocuvie-Tay declined the request for adjournment.

Instead, she ordered Bosiako to file his witness statements by May 5, 2026, ahead of a case management conference scheduled for May 7.

The judge further indicated that proceedings will continue while the court awaits the Court of Appeal’s decision.

CitiNewsRoom