Chairman Wontumi appeals ‘No Case’ ruling, seeks to halt trial

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed an interlocutory appeal against a High Court ruling that dismissed his submission of no case.

In a related move, he has also filed a motion for a stay of proceedings, seeking to put the trial on hold pending the determination of the appeal.

Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, are standing trial on six counts relating to alleged illegal mining activities. The charges include permitting two individuals to carry out mining operations on the company’s concession without the prior approval of the sector minister and facilitating unlicensed mining operations.

The High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, had earlier dismissed the no-case submission filed by the accused. In its ruling, the court held that the initial evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to call for a defence, giving the accused seven days to indicate whether they would remain silent or open their defence.

When the case was called on Thursday, the court was informed of the two new applications—the interlocutory appeal and the motion for a stay of proceedings.

Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai, representing the state, waived the right to file a formal opposition to the application. He noted that the affidavit supporting the motion contained legal arguments rather than factual depositions, and requested an abridgement of time to have the motion, initially set for April 16, 2026, heard immediately.

However, counsel for Chairman Wontumi indicated they were not prepared to move the application and urged the state to make a formal request if they sought an abridgement of time.

In response, the court affirmed its inherent jurisdiction to shorten time limits, stating that a formal response from the opposing party was not a prerequisite for considering a matter.

Following discussions between the parties, the court proposed several dates for the hearing of the motion, with both sides eventually settling on April 2, 2026.

The case has been adjourned to that date for arguments for and against the motion for a stay of proceedings.