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, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The decision follows an application by the defence seeking to suspend the delivery of judgment, arguing that a constitutional interpretation case currently pending before the Supreme Court could have a direct bearing on the proceedings.
Lead defence counsel Samuel Atta Akyea has asked the High Court to stay proceedings until the Supreme Court rules on the constitutional issues raised in the application.
Mr Atta Akyea has also informed the court that he is currently outside Ghana and is expected to return on Wednesday, July 22.
The High Court is therefore expected to first decide whether to proceed with the scheduled judgment or grant the defence’s request to adjourn the case pending the Supreme Court’s determination.
Last month, the court granted Mr Atta Akyea additional time to file a written address on behalf of the defence after he assumed the role of lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi, through his company, Akonta Mining Limited, is standing trial over alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.
He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and maintains his innocence.
The case has now reached the judgment stage after both the prosecution and the defence concluded presenting their evidence and final legal arguments.
Today’s ruling is expected to determine whether the court will immediately deliver its judgment or temporarily halt proceedings pending the outcome of the constitutional matter before the Supreme Court.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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