The Accra High Court is expected to decide today, July 20, whether to deliver judgment in the alleged illegal mining case involving Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The development follows an application by the defence seeking to suspend the delivery of judgment, arguing that a constitutional interpretation case currently before the Supreme Court could have implications for the matter.
Wontumi’s lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, has urged the High Court to stay proceedings until the Supreme Court determines the constitutional issues raised in the application.
The lawyer has also informed the court that he is currently outside the country and is expected to return on Wednesday, July 22.
The High Court is therefore expected to first determine whether to proceed with the scheduled judgment or grant the defence’s request to adjourn the case pending the Supreme Court’s decision.
Last month, the court granted Mr Atta Akyea additional time to file a written address in support of the defence after he took over as lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi, through his company, Akonta Mining, is standing trial over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The case has reached the judgment stage after both the prosecution and the defence concluded presenting their arguments.
Also read:
