The Court of Appeal has begun hearing an application filed by Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to halt ongoing proceedings in a galamsey-related trial.
Wontumi is challenging a High Court order directing him to open his defence in a case involving alleged illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession.
Lawyers for the NPP chairman, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, argued that allowing the trial to proceed would cause irreversible prejudice to their client while an interlocutory appeal is pending.
They further maintained that the appeal raises exceptional grounds with a strong likelihood of success.
The legal team filed the motion for a stay of proceedings on March 26, 2026, following a March 16 ruling by the High Court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.
The court had dismissed a submission of no case filed by the defence and ordered Akonta Mining Limited to open its defence on six charges.
However, the Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, is opposing the application, arguing that no exceptional circumstances have been presented to justify granting a stay of proceedings.
The Court of Appeal is expected to determine whether the trial should be temporarily halted pending the outcome of the interlocutory appeal.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
