The Court of Appeal has dismissed a fresh attempt by lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi to halt his ongoing criminal trial at the High Court in the Samreboi mining case, dealing a setback to efforts to suspend proceedings pending an interlocutory appeal.
The application sought to stop the trial while the appellate court considers a challenge to an earlier ruling by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, which ordered Chairman Wontumi to open his defence over allegations that he permitted mining activities on his Samreboi concession without authorisation.
His legal team had argued that the High Court proceedings should be paused until the appeal on the ruling is determined. However, both the High Court and now the Court of Appeal have rejected that request.
In its decision on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal held that the application failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances that would justify a stay of proceedings, effectively clearing the way for the trial to continue at the High Court.
The ruling means the substantive criminal case remains active, with the High Court expected to proceed unless further legal intervention is secured.
Meanwhile, lead counsel for Chairman Wontumi said that the defence team is reviewing its options and will decide on its next steps.
These 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
