The Accra High Court has granted Samuel Atta Akyea leave to review and abreast himself with Wontumi’s Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve illegal mining case after taking over as new counsel.
The private legal practitioner on Friday, July 31 formally introduced himself to the presiding judge as the new lawyer taking over from Andy Appiah Kubi.
Akonta Mining Company, Chairman Wontumi and two others have been charged with illegally mining in a forest reserve, facilitating illegal mining operations and building mining structures in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
They have pleaded not guilty and are out on bail while the third and fourth accused remain at large.
When the case was called, private legal practitioner Samuel Atta Akyea notified the trial judge that he was taking over as the substantive counsel for Wontumi following the withdrawal of Andy Appiah Kubi as legal representative.
He prayed for an adjournment to be able to assess the progress of the case and get abreast with the proceedings.
Justice Ruby Aryeetey then noted that Andy Appiah Kubi had utilised four out of six hours allocated to the defence for the cross-examination of the prosecution’s third witness, the investigator.
She, however, added that the defence could request for additional time after assessing the proceedings.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman made his second appearance at the criminal division for his case after beginning his 20-year jail term.
The case has since been adjourned to August 18 for mention but substantively will be heard on October 16 for continuation of the cross-examination of the prosecution third witness.
By Laud Adu Asare
