Attorney General opposes Atta Akyea’s bid to defer Wontumi’s Samreboi case judgment

The Attorney General and Ministry of Justice have opposed an application filed by defence lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea seeking to delay judgment in the Samreboi illegal mining case involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and others.

In an affidavit filed at the High Court in Accra, the prosecution argues that the request for a deferment is unjustified and should be dismissed outright.

The affidavit, deposed to by Nana Ama Prempeh, a Senior State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney-General, and dated June 25, 2026, states that the state is firmly opposed to the motion for deferment of judgment under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

According to the document, the prosecution maintains that the accused persons, who include Wontumi, co-accused Kwame Antwi and Akonta Mining Company Limited, concluded their defence on June 3, 2026, after which the court adjourned the case for judgment.

The state further argues that the accused persons were represented by legal counsel of their choice throughout the trial and that any withdrawal of previous counsel was voluntary, amicable and not based on any dispute or misconduct.

The Attorney General’s office also insists that where counsel withdraws under such circumstances, the appropriate source of case records or briefing should be the outgoing lawyer, not the court registry, adding that the decision by newly engaged counsel to rely on the court registry instead is improper.

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

The affidavit goes further to question the timing of Atta Akyea’s appointment, noting that although he publicly announced his involvement on June 15, 2025, he only filed a formal notice of appointment on June 22, 2026, a delay the state describes as excessive and unjustified.

The prosecution describes the application for deferment as an attempt that could undermine the course of justice, arguing that granting it would amount to an abuse of court process and bring the justice system into disrepute.

The Attorney General is therefore urging the court to dismiss the motion and proceed with the scheduled delivery of judgment.

Background

The application for deferment was filed on June 23, 2026, at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra. It is on behalf of the first and third accused persons in the case titled “The Republic v. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Kwame Antwi and Akonta Mining Company Limited.”

Defence counsel Atta Akyea is asking the court to postpone the judgment for a reasonable period to allow the newly constituted legal team to obtain and review certified records of proceedings and all relevant documents.

According to the defence, this is necessary to enable them to fully understand the case and file comprehensive written submissions before judgment is delivered.

The High Court is expected to deliver its judgment in the matter on July 3, 2026.

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