Lawyers representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, and his company, Akonta Mining Limited, have filed an urgent motion at the High Court seeking to postpone judgment in their ongoing illegal mining case.
The application, submitted before Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on June 23, 2026, requests that the court defer the July 3 judgment to give newly engaged counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, sufficient time to review the case record and prepare written submissions.
Court filings indicate that the application follows the withdrawal of the defendants’ former lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who exited the case on June 11, 2026, after expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which the proceedings were conducted. He had represented Mr Antwi-Boasiako since October 2025.
In an affidavit filed in support of the application, Mr Atta Akyea stated that the defence closed its case on June 3, after which the court fixed July 3 for judgment. He argued that the change of legal representation at such a crucial stage has left the accused persons without adequate preparation for the final phase of the trial.
“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, contending that the accused persons are entitled to a fair hearing, including effective legal representation throughout every stage of the criminal process.
“The Republic is ably represented by the Hon. Attorney-General and his formidable team… who will put together a written submission ostensibly to hammer out the guilt of the accused persons,” the affidavit noted.
Mr Atta Akyea also informed the court that although he had filed a notice of appearance and applied for certified copies of the proceedings, the registrar had yet to provide the documents, making it difficult for him to properly assess the case.
He insisted that the application is not an attempt to delay the administration of justice but rather to ensure adequate legal 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 further argued that granting the request would not prejudice the Republic but would instead reinforce public confidence in the judicial process by ensuring the accused persons are fully represented.
The case centres on allegations that Akonta Mining Limited engaged in illegal mining operations within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve at Samreboi without obtaining the necessary approval from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. Prosecutors allege that the company continued its activities after its application was rejected in August 2022, resulting in the destruction of approximately 13 hectares of forest land.
The trial has concluded, with both the prosecution and defence presenting their witnesses. The High Court is now expected to determine whether to grant the application for an adjournment or proceed with delivering judgment as scheduled on July 3, 2026.
