The Criminal Division 4 of the Accra High Court has thrown out an application by legal counsel for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—famously known as Chairman Wontumi—seeking to halt judgement and refer constitutional aspects of the case to the Supreme Court.
Presiding Judge Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay declared that the request for an adjournment lacked merit after defence lawyer Charles Boakye, holding brief for lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea, asked the bench to defer proceedings until Atta Akyea returns from abroad on 22 July.
Boakye submitted that the legal team had filed the motion on 16 July seeking a referral and deferment, noting that the firm Zoe, Atta Akyea & Co. had formally notified the registry on 17 July regarding lead counsel’s absence.
Dismissing the plea, Justice Kocuvie-Tay emphasized that court schedules take precedence over individual convenience.
“The law on adjournment is for the convenience of the court and lies within the discretion of the court. This court cannot grant the request. The application for adjournment is refused,” the judge ruled.
Addressing the substantive motion, the court noted that oral arguments were unnecessary to determine the matter.
“The court has discretion on how a motion should be dealt with. The application need not necessarily be moved. Once the application is filed, it is properly before the court. I deem it moved,” Justice Kocuvie-Tay stated, before throwing out the application and moving directly to deliver judgement.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana