An urgent motion has been submitted to the High Court by legal representatives for Akonta Mining Limited and its owner, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
The defense is requesting a postponement of the verdict, which is currently set for July 3, so that their newly retained lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, can thoroughly review the trial files and compile written briefs.
The request was presented on June 23, 2026, to Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay. It stems from the mid-June departure of their former attorney, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who withdrew from the matter after handling the defense since October 2025 due to disagreements over how the trial was being conducted.
In a supporting affidavit, Atta Akyea noted that the defense had finished presenting its evidence on June 3, just before the court scheduled the upcoming judgment date.
He stated that switching legal counsel at such a pivotal juncture deprives the defendants of proper representation during the trial’s concluding phase.
“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.
To support this move, the defense pointed to the fair trial provisions under Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to robust legal assistance throughout all steps of a criminal trial.
“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.
Atta Akyea informed the bench that although he has formally registered as the new defense counsel and requested the official trial transcripts, the court registrar has yet to provide them, making a proper assessment of the trial impossible. He clarified that the motion is meant to secure a fair evaluation rather than to obstruct the timeline of the court.
“The sole purpose of this application is to enable me to obtain and peruse the record of proceedings before judgment is delivered,” he said.
Furthermore, he remarked that pausing the verdict would not cause any disadvantage to the state but would instead reinforce public trust in the legal system by allowing comprehensive representation.
The state’s case centers on claims that Akonta Mining Limited operated an unauthorized mining site inside the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in Samreboi.
According to the state, the firm persisted with its operations across roughly thirteen hectares of land despite its application being rejected in August 2022.
The main trial has already concluded, with both sides having called their respective witnesses. The High Court must now decide whether to pause the timeline or deliver its verdict on July 3, 2026.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
