Court of Appeal dismisses Wontumi’s renewed bid to halt Samreboi mining case

The Court of Appeal Ghana has dismissed a renewed application filed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, seeking to halt his ongoing criminal trial in the alleged Samreboi illegal mining case.

The ruling effectively ends the attempt by Chairman Wontumi to secure a stay of proceedings in the matter, clearing the way for the trial at the High Court to continue.

The decision follows earlier developments at the High Court of Ghana in Accra, where the presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey, issued procedural directions after the accused reportedly failed to meet an April 14 deadline linked to his defence preparations.

Speaking to journalists after the Court of Appeal proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, counsel for Mr Antwi-Boasiako, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed the outcome and explained the implications of the ruling.

He noted that the defence had filed what he described as a repeat application for a stay of proceedings, but the appellate court did not grant their request. According to him, the refusal means the legal team must now consider alternative options going forward.

He explained that the ruling leaves the defence with two main choices: either to pursue further appeal at the Supreme Court of Ghana or return to the High Court to continue with the trial process.

“In summary, the court has refused the application for stay, which brings the matter before the Court of Appeal to an end,” Mr Appiah-Kubi stated. He added that consultations with his client will determine the next steps.

The Samreboi case centres on allegations that Mr Antwi-Boasiako, through his mining company Akonta Mining, permitted illegal mining activities on a concession in the Western Region without proper authorisation.

Prosecutors allege that mining operations were conducted unlawfully on the Akonta Mining concession in Samreboi, raising concerns about compliance with Ghana’s mining regulations and environmental safeguards.

After the prosecution closed its case, the High Court directed the accused to begin his defence. He was given options to testify personally, call witnesses, or make an unsworn statement in response to the charges.

He was initially ordered to file his witness statements by March 16, but instead filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the dismissal of his “no case to answer” submission. He later sought to suspend the trial pending the outcome of that appeal—an application that has now been dismissed.

With the appellate court’s ruling, the High Court is expected to proceed with the substantive trial unless the defence successfully pursues further relief at the Supreme Court.

The case continues to attract significant public attention, given its political implications and the broader national debate over illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, and its impact on Ghana’s environment and natural resources.