Chairman Wontumi heads to Court of Appeal to challenge ruling.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontum, has filed an application at the Court of Appeal challenging the High Court’s decision that ordered him to open his defence.
Chairman Wontumi and his company have been charged with six counts of permitting Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on the company’s concession without obtaining prior approval from the sector minister, as well as facilitating unlicensed mining.
The High Court, in March this year, held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused persons and ordered them to file their witness statements, if they were minded to do so, on or before April 14 this year.
However, when the case was called yesterday, the accused had not complied with the court’s order.
Appeal
Counsel for the accused persons, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, told the court that they had not been able to comply with the orders because they had filed processes at the second-highest court of the land to challenge the High Court’s decision.
This development follows the High Court’s dismissal of an earlier appeal against the decision.
In addition, counsel told the court that they had filed an application for a stay of proceedings pending the appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Counsel argued that complying with the court’s order when there was an active appeal at the Court of Appeal would have an impact on the continuation of proceedings.
Counsel prayed the High Court to adjourn the matter.
Opposition
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who opposed the prayer for an adjournment, argued that the accused was not entitled to a stay of proceedings pending the determination of the Appeal.
“Our prayer is that, having refused to file a defence or call a witness, there is only one path left for the court — to proceed to convict.
“We, therefore, pray that this honourable court convict the accused persons,” he said.
By Court
The presiding judge, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, said a repeat stay at the Court of Appeal does not fetter the jurisdiction of the High Court, adding, “there are a plethora of authorities”.
She added that the court would proceed with the matter and whenever the ruling of the Court of Appeal was ready, the High Court would oblige, citing the case of
The Republic v Ato Forson and others.
She has given the accused persons until May 5, 2026, to file witness statements if they are minded to do so.
The case has been adjourned to May 7, 2026.
