Accra: An Accra High Court has adjourned the case involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others in connection with the Samreboi illegal mining allegations to July 20, 2026. The decision to postpone the proceedings was made following submissions from both the defense and the prosecution during the recent court session.
According to Ghana Web, the court granted the defense counsel more time to submit their written addresses before a final judgment is rendered. The court stated, "The Court after listening to Counsel for the accused and the Prosecution, has granted an extension of time from today, to the 13th of July for Counsel for the accused to file any written address he may have."
Subsequently, the court has scheduled a new date to deliver its judgment in the case. "Consequently, the Court has set a new date, 20th of July 2026 at 9 o'clock in the forenoon to deliver its judgement," the report stated.
The background of the case involves an application filed by Samuel Atta Akyea, who requested the court to defer the judgment to familiarize himself with all the proceedings. Initially, the High Court in Accra had set July 3, 2026, as the judgment date for the case against Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining, who are facing charges related to the unauthorized assignment of mineral rights.
The court had previously directed both parties to submit their final closing addresses by June 17, 2026, which was later revised to June 24, 2026, while maintaining the initial judgment date of July 3, 2026. However, on June 17, following the High Court's dismissal of his withdrawal application, Wontumi's then-lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, withdrew his legal representation despite having led the case to its closing stages.
After his lawyer's withdrawal, Chairman Wontumi appointed Samuel Atta Akyea as his new legal counsel. Atta Akyea has since requested additional time to review the court proceedings, resulting in the adjournment to July 20, 2026.