Appeal Court Dismisses Chairman Wontumi’s Application to Stop Samreboi Mining Case
- Bernard Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, suffered a setback after the Court of Appeal dismissed his application
- The court ruled that his legal team failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify a stay of proceedings
- The decision clears the way for the High Court in Accra to continue hearing the criminal trial unless the Supreme Court intervenes
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, suffered a major setback in court in the Samreboi Mining case.
An application to halt the ongoing criminal trial against Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the High Court was recently dismissed.
Source: Facebook
According to a report by Citi News, Chairman Wontumi's application sought to stop the trial while the appellate court considers a challenge to an earlier ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay.
The previous ruling ordered him to open his defence over allegations that he permitted mining activities on his Samreboi concession without authorisation.
Lawyers for the NPP's Ashanti Regional Chairman argued that the High Court proceedings should be temporarily halted until the appeal on the ruling is determined.
However, both the High Court and now the Court of Appeal have rejected that request.
Why the court dismissed Chairman Wontumi's application
Delivering its ruling on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal held that Chairman Wontumi's application failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances to justify a stay of proceedings.
This decision now paves the way for the trial to continue at the High Court in Accra.
It also means that the substantive criminal case remains active, with the same court expected to proceed unless further legal intervention is secured.
Meanwhile, the lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi has said that they are reviewing their options regarding the court ruling to inform their next steps.
These, he indicated, could include a renewed application at the Supreme Court or a return to the High Court to proceed with opening the defence, depending on legal strategy.
Source: Facebook
What are the accusations against Wontumi?
It will be recalled that the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) had frozen nearly GH¢50 million in accounts linked to Wontumi.
The NPP's Ashanti Regional Chairman is standing trial over mining activities on his Samreboi concession without the requisite authorisation.
After his arrest on October 7, 2025, Boasiako was granted bail of GH¢15 million with three sureties in the first case against him and GH¢10 million with two sureties in the second case against him.
He and his company, Akonta Mining Company, are accused of engaging in mining operations on their mining concession without obtaining due approval.
Chairman Wontumi apologises to President Mahama
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that Chairman Wontumi had apologised to President John Mahama for using harsh language during the 2024 election campaign.
He said his actions were solely to promote his party’s interests and asked for forgiveness, also declaring his intention to contest the position of NPP National Chairman.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
