Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, have filed an urgent application at the High Court seeking to postpone judgment in their ongoing illegal mining trial.
The application, filed before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on June 23, 2026, is requesting that the court defer its scheduled July 3 judgment to allow newly appointed counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, sufficient time to study the case record and prepare written submissions.
The request follows the withdrawal of the defendants’ previous lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, on June 11, 2026. Mr Appiah-Kubi, who had represented Chairman Wontumi since October 2025, reportedly stepped down from the case citing dissatisfaction with the court’s handling of proceedings.
In an affidavit supporting the application, Mr Atta Akyea stated that the defence had closed its case on June 3, after which the court adjourned the matter to July 3 for judgment.
He argued that the change in legal representation at such a crucial stage of the trial had left the accused persons without adequate preparation for the final phase of proceedings.
“The progression of this criminal trial should be a thorough perusal of the record of proceedings and other processes which should be the basis of a serious perusal, research and the filing of a credible and competent written submission,” he stated.
The defence further relied on Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution, arguing that the accused persons are entitled to a fair hearing, including effective legal representation throughout the trial process.
According to the affidavit, the prosecution, led by the Attorney-General and his team, is expected to file written submissions, making it necessary for the defence to have adequate time to respond.
Mr Atta Akyea also informed the court that although he had filed a notice of appearance and requested certified copies of the proceedings, the documents had not yet been made available by the court registry.
He maintained that the application was not intended to delay the administration of justice but rather to ensure fairness and adequate preparation before judgment is delivered.
“The sole purpose of this application is to enable me to obtain and peruse the record of proceedings before judgment is delivered,” he said.
He added that granting the request would not prejudice the prosecution but would instead enhance confidence in the judicial process by ensuring full legal representation for the accused persons.
Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Limited are facing allegations of engaging in illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at Samreboi without the required approval from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
The prosecution alleges that the company continued mining operations despite being denied permission in August 2022, resulting in the destruction of approximately 13 hectares of land.
The case has already gone through full trial proceedings, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their witnesses.
The High Court is expected to determine whether to grant the application for a postponement or proceed with the scheduled judgment on July 3, 2026.
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