Chairman Wontumi granted final deadline to file witness statement

Aspiring National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, has been granted a final deadline to file his witness statement.

This was after he appeared before an Accra High Court today and prayed the court to stay proceedings pending an appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Against this backdrop, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, was granted a final deadline of May 5, 2026, to file witness statements in the Samreboi illegal mining case after missing an earlier court-ordered deadline.

This was after the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, prayed the court to convict Mr.Antwi Bosiako for failing to file his witness statement.

Speaking to the media after court proceedings, the lawyer for Mr.Antwi Boasiako said it was very unfortunate for the Deputy Attorney General to pray the court to convict the accused person, who has not even opened his defence.

He said coming from him (Justice Srem-Sai) left much to be desired because he is a Minister of Justice who should preside over fair decisions from the court.

According to Andy Appiah-Kubi, this is unbecoming of the AG, who is in a hurry to seek a conviction of someone in a criminal trial.

He said they did not file a witness statement because of a process filed at the Court of Appeal, whose determination may affect the matter at the High Court.

According to him, the constitution has a provision that requires an accused person to to be given adequate time, preparation and resources to be able to defend themselves when they are on trial.

He said, having filed this, they thought the High Court should will stay off proceedings until their application at the Court of Appeal is heard.

Chairman Wontumi and his company are facing six counts of allegedly permitting Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on the company’s concession without prior approval from the sector minister, as well as facilitating unlicensed mining activities.

It wil be recalled that in March this year, the High Court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused persons and directed them to file their witness statements, on or before April 14, 2026.