An Accra High Court has granted counsel for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, an extension of time to file a written address in the alleged Samreboi illegal mining case.
The extension, granted during proceedings on Monday, June 29, gives Wontumi’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament, until July 13, 2026, to file any written submissions he intends to rely on.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to July 20, 2026, when it is expected to deliver its judgment.
The development follows an earlier application by Mr. Atta Akyea, who recently took over the defence, seeking a postponement of judgment to enable him to familiarise himself with the case and prepare his client’s defence.
The Office of the Attorney General had opposed the application, arguing that it lacked merit.
In a 13-paragraph affidavit filed on June 25, Senior State Attorney Nana Ama Prempeh contended that Chairman Wontumi had been represented by counsel throughout the trial and that the withdrawal of his previous lawyer was voluntary.
According to the prosecution, the appropriate source for the case records and briefing was the outgoing lawyer, not the court registry.
The Attorney General’s Office also questioned the good faith of the application, arguing that the new defence counsel should have obtained the necessary documents from his predecessor instead of seeking them directly from the court.
However, at Monday’s hearing, the prosecution did not object to the court granting Mr. Atta Akyea additional time to file his written address.
Wontumi, on June 15, appointed Samuel Atta Akyea as his new lead counsel in the ongoing criminal case involving Akonta Mining.
The appointment followed the decision by his former lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, to withdraw from the case.
