Court to hear application to postpone judgment in Wontumi Samreboi case on June 29

An Accra High Court will, on June 29, 2026, hear an application seeking to postpone the delivery of judgment in the Samreboi illegal mining case involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others.

This follows an application, filed by his newly appointed counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, asking the court to postpone the July 3, 2026, judgment to allow the defence enough time to obtain the certified record of proceedings and prepare written submissions.

The motion follows the withdrawal of Wontumi’s former lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi, shortly after the close of the defence’s case.

Although the court dismissed the earlier application seeking leave to withdraw, it held that in criminal proceedings counsel does not require the court’s permission to cease representing a client, describing the issue as one between lawyer and client.

Chairman Wontumi's lawyer files application to postpone judgment of Samreboi case

In an affidavit supporting the application, Atta Akyea stated that he was appointed on June 19, 2026, to represent Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited after the previous lawyer withdrew.

He said he has since requested certified copies of the proceedings and all processes filed in the case but is yet to receive them from the court registry.

According to the affidavit, he will be unable to adequately familiarise himself with the proceedings or effectively discharge his professional obligations to his clients.

He argued that given the serious criminal charges and their potential consequences, the accused are entitled to effective legal representation at every stage of the trial.

The application further contends that granting the adjournment would not prejudice the prosecution but would instead uphold the constitutional right to a fair hearing and enhance public confidence in the administration of justice.

Atta Akyea, however, insists the request is not intended to delay or obstruct justice but solely to enable him to properly study the case before judgment is delivered.

The High Court has fixed July 3, 2026, for judgment after the close of the defence’s case.

Wontumi, Akonta Mining, and one Kwame Antwi, identified as a co-owner of the company reported to be on the run, are facing charges of transferring mining rights without approval from the sector minister and facilitating mining activities without ministerial permission.

The case relates to mining operations on a concession in Samreboi owned by Akonta Mining.

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