The Court of Appeal Ghana has dismissed an application by lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako seeking to halt his ongoing criminal trial at the High Court of Ghana over alleged illegal mining activities in Samreboi.
The application was filed to stop proceedings at the High Court pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal challenging an earlier ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay. That ruling directed Chairman Wontumi to open his defence in the case, which centres on claims that he permitted mining operations on his Samreboi concession without proper authorisation.
Counsel for the embattled Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party had argued that continuing the trial while the appeal was pending could prejudice their client, insisting that proceedings should be stayed until the appellate court rules on the matter.
However, the Court of Appeal, in its decision delivered on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, rejected the request, holding that the application failed to establish any exceptional circumstances to justify a stay of proceedings.
The ruling effectively clears the way for the criminal trial to continue at the High Court, where the prosecution is expected to proceed with the case unless a further legal intervention is secured.
Following the decision, lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi indicated that the defence team is reviewing its options. These may include seeking relief at the Supreme Court or returning to the High Court to comply with the directive to open the defence.
The case remains one of the closely watched legal battles involving allegations of unauthorised mining activities in Ghana’s Western Region.
