The Accra High Court has dismissed an application filed by Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, seeking to halt his Samreboi galamsey trial.

Following a hearing on April 2, 2026, the judge dismissed the application and ordered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman to file his witness statement in response to the charges brought against him by state prosecutors.

High Court orders Wontumi to open defence in illegal mining case

The latest development comes on the back of Wontumi’s earlier attempt to challenge an Accra High Court ruling that dismissed his "no case" submission in the ongoing illegal mining case against him.

Earlier reported on GhanaWeb on March 26, 2026, 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.

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.

Here's the latest update on Wontumi's case

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.

MAG/VPO

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