The Accra High Court has refused the lead counsel for Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea’s application for an adjournment of his trial involving his involvement in illegal mining in the Samreboi forest.
The Judge says adjournments are at the convenience of the court and not based on the personal inclinations of lawyers.
The lead counsel for Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, petitioned the court to adjourn the judgement against his client which was slated for Monday, July 20, 2026, saying he was out of the jurisdiction and would return on Wednesday, July 22.
In her ruling however, the presiding judge, Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, noted that both parties had been consulted in determining the date for the judgement hence Atta Akyea should have communicated then if he knew he would not be available on the set date.
The Court also dismissed the application for deferment and referral to the Supreme Court, some constitutional questions which the defence sought to be determined by the apex court.
Chairman Wontumi, born Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has been charged with assigning mineral rights without approval from the Minister responsible for mining and facilitating unlicensed mining operation in the Samreboi forest in the Western region.
Judgement against Chairman Wontumi will thus proceed.
More soon…
High Court set to rule on Wontumi’s Samreboi ‘galamsey’ case today; lawyers ask for more time
By Laud Haris Adu-Asare
