The Court of Appeal has dismissed a renewed attempt by legal counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to halt his ongoing criminal trial at the High Court regarding the Samreboi mining case.
The regional chairman sought to stay the proceedings while the appellate court considers a challenge to a prior ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, which ordered him to open his defense against allegations of permitting unauthorized mining activities on his Samreboi concession.
Although his lawyers argued that the High Court proceedings should be paused pending the outcome of the appeal, both the trial and appellate courts have now rejected the request.
In its decision delivered on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal held that the application failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances necessary to justify a stay of proceedings.
This ruling effectively removes the legal barrier preventing the trial from moving forward.
Meanwhile, the substantive criminal case remains active, and the High Court is expected to proceed with the trial unless further legal intervention is secured.
Lead counsel for the defense indicated that the team is currently reviewing its options to determine the next phase of their strategy.
This may involve filing a renewed application at the Supreme Court or returning to the High Court to comply with the order to open the defense.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana