The Court of Appeal of Ghana has thrown out an application filed by lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to pause his ongoing criminal proceedings at the High Court in the Samreboi illegal mining case.
The motion was intended to halt the trial while the appellate court reviews an interlocutory appeal challenging a prior decision by Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey.
In that ruling, the High Court judge directed the accused to begin presenting his defence in response to allegations that he allowed unauthorised mining activities on his concession in Samreboi.
Counsel for Chairman Wontumi had maintained that proceedings at the High Court should be put on hold until the appeal is resolved. However, the request was unsuccessful at both the trial court and appellate levels.
In its ruling delivered on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal determined that the application did not meet the threshold required to justify a stay of proceedings, citing the absence of any exceptional circumstances.
The decision paves the way for the High Court to continue hearing the case without interruption, unless a higher court intervenes.
Lawyers for Chairman Wontumi say they are assessing the ruling and considering their next line of action. This may involve escalating the matter to the Supreme Court of Ghana or proceeding with the defence at the High Court, depending on their legal strategy.
