The Accra High Court is expected to determine today, July 20, whether to proceed with judgment in the alleged illegal mining case involving Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
The court’s decision follows an application by the defence requesting a stay of proceedings, arguing that a constitutional interpretation case currently before the Supreme Court could affect the outcome of the trial.
Lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi, Samuel Atta Akyea, has asked the High Court to suspend the delivery of its judgment until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutional issues raised in the separate application.
Mr Atta Akyea also informed the court that he is currently out of the country and is expected to return on Wednesday, July 22.
The High Court is therefore expected to first rule on the defence’s request before deciding whether to deliver judgment as scheduled or postpone the case pending the Supreme Court’s determination.
Last month, the court granted Mr Atta Akyea additional time to file his written submissions after he assumed the role of lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi, through his company, Akonta Mining, is facing charges over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.
The trial has reached its final stage after both the prosecution and the defence completed the presentation of their cases, leaving the matter awaiting judgment.
