Petition CJ now – Maurice Ampaw reacts to judge's warning to Wontumi lawyers

Private legal practitioner, Maurice Ampaw, has called on the legal team of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, to petition the Chief Justice over comments made by a trial judge in court.

His comments follow certain concerns raised by the judge over delays in the ongoing trial involving Chairman Wontumi and his associates.

'You are causing the delays' - Judge's sharp warning to Wontumi's lawyers«

Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb’s Mandy Agyemang on Friday, May 8, 2026, Ampaw said the judge’s comments create the impression that she is under pressure to speed up the case due to public discussions surrounding the matter.

“Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers must petition the Chief Justice for this statement. There should be a petition to the Chief Justice that they are not comfortable with the statement that the judge made in open court, because it means that the judge is under pressure to hurry the case, and then the fear is that the judge is also listening to public commentary, which is not her duty,” he said.

Maurice Ampaw further argued that judges are expected to focus only on the evidence before them and not on public opinions on cases before the courts.

“They swore an oath not to listen to public commentaries. That is why we have the court. Those public commentaries are rather politicising the matter,” he argued.

He also questioned why the judge blamed Wontumi’s lawyers for the delay in the case.

“Instead of the judge taking the issue as a contemptuous issue, she is rather blaming Wontumi’s lawyers for the delay. Delay for what?” he quizzed.

The lawyer warned that the judge’s remarks could affect confidence in the judicial process.

“It is going to affect public confidence in the trial. Some of us are worried because, if we have a judge who is worried about public commentary on the trial instead of the judge cracking the whips of those who are interfering with the trial, those whose commentary are suggesting that the judiciary must jail, the judge is not worried about it,” he said.

Ampaw maintained his stance that the Chief Justice should intervene in the matter for the sake of the judiciary.

“I think that the Chief Justice must call the trial judge to order because she's breaking down. She's giving a hearing to the public instead of a hearing to the parties and the accused person before you,” he added.

Maurice Ampaw stressed that judges must remain neutral and avoid being influenced by sentiments outside the courtroom.

“When a judge is in judgment, your ears are closed to public commentary. Your ears are closed to public sentiment. We don't listen to public commentary. We don't listen to dialogue. We do justice according to law, evidence before us, but this time, the judge is watching television,” he said.

Background

The High Court's Criminal Court 4 continued the trial of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, regarding alleged illegal mining activities linked to a concession in Samreboi, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

According to an earlier report by GhanaWeb from May 7, 2026, the prosecution claims that mining operations were conducted on the Samreboi concession without the necessary authorisation from the sector minister, in violation of Ghana's mining laws.

During the proceedings, the court aimed to set dates for the defense to present its case but faced resistance from defense lawyer Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, who initially rejected the proposed dates and requested longer adjournments.

This led to a strong response from the presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, who sought to assert the court's authority over scheduling.

“Where’s the rush? Do you not want me to handle the case? I have considered all your proposed dates and in some instances, adjusted my schedule to the afternoon to accommodate you. What else do you want me to do?” she asked.

The judge also addressed public criticism regarding the slow pace of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) cases.

Court of Appeal throws out Wontumi's attempt to halt case in Samreboi mining trial

“When you appear on television and people criticize the judiciary for case delays, don’t just sit there and watch; tell them you are contributing to the delays. The public continues to criticize us for the slow progress, so we are also taking action,” she added.

MAG/AE

Ghana’s gateway status must be earned, not declared - Vice President