Lawyer for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says he will apply for the rescheduling of the July 3 judgment date in the ongoing Samreboi illegal mining case.
Samuel Atta Akyea argues that it would be unfair for the court to proceed to judgment following the recent change in the defence team’s legal representation.
Speaking to journalists, Atta Akyea said the new defence counsel requires adequate time to familiarise itself with the case and effectively represent its client before any final determination is made.
According to him, the interests of justice would be better served if the court grants additional time to allow the defence to properly prepare and contribute to the proceedings before judgment is delivered.
“I will plead with the court for that because if you want to have a fair trial and if you want our input as part of the thinking of the judge, I believe they should allow time,” he said.
Chairman Wontumi is standing trial over allegations that he permitted illegal mining activities on his Samreboi concession without the necessary authorisation from the relevant mining authorities.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Monday, June 15, he appointed Samuel Atta Akyea, as his new lead counsel after his previous lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, withdrew from the case.
