Lawyers for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, and Akonta Mining have signalled their intention to apply for a court order compelling the prosecution to release further documents they say are essential to their defence.
According to the legal team, key materials needed to prepare their case were absent from the disclosures filed by the State.
Antwi-Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining are standing trial over allegations that they permitted mining operations on their Samreboi concession without the requisite approvals.
The hearing on Tuesday, November 25, slated for a case management conference, was expected to lay the groundwork for the trial.
However, lead defence counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi notified the court that a formal application for additional disclosures would be filed.
This came after the prosecution maintained that the documents submitted on October 31, and November 11 constitute the complete set of materials they intend to rely on during the trial.
Appiah-Kubi told the court that the defence had expected supplementary disclosures — including documents in the prosecution’s possession that may not be tendered in evidence but could nonetheless assist the accused during case management.
He noted that although the defence had already drafted a motion seeking full disclosure, it had not yet been filed, prompting the request for more time.
The presiding judge directed the defence to file and serve the motion on the prosecution once ready.
The court further ordered the accused persons to submit the names and addresses of all witnesses they intend to call at trial, in the event that the prosecution establishes a prima facie case.
The matter has been adjourned to December 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., when the defence’s application for additional disclosures is expected to be heard.
