The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Benard Antwi-Bosiako, who is widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has filed an application challenging an Accra High Court ruling that dismissed his "no case" submission in the ongoing illegal mining case against him.

According to a report by graphic.com.gh on March 26, 2026, "Wontumi has also requested a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an interlocutory appeal against the, ruling.”

The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, on March 16, 2026, had held that based on the evidence led by the Office of the Attorney General so far, there is a presumption that Wontumi and his company have committed the offences they have been charged with.

High Court orders Wontumi to open defence in illegal mining caseHigh Court orders Wontumi to open defence in illegal mining case

But his lawyers filed an application for stay of proceedings at the High Court, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Justice Kocuvie-Tay observed that the court had inherent jurisdiction to abridge time for the hearing of the application, while adding that the court can, on its own, determine whether or not the prosecution filed an affidavit in opposition or not.

That notwithstanding, she adjourned the trial to April 2, 2026, for the application to be moved.

Wontumi, his company, Akonta Mining and another person identified as Kwame Antwi, who is on the run, are standing trial for allegedly undertaking mining operations on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the consent of the sector minister.

JKB/AE

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