The Court of Appeal has dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings in the ongoing Samreboi illegal mining case involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, paving the way for the trial to continue at the High Court.
The application sought to halt proceedings pending the outcome of an interlocutory appeal, following an earlier directive by Justice Audrey Kocouvi-Tey for the accused to open his defence.
Chairman Wontumi is facing allegations of permitting unauthorised mining activities on his concession at Samreboi.
His legal team had argued that the High Court proceedings should be suspended until the appeal is determined. However, both the High Court and the Court of Appeal rejected the request.
In its ruling on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal held that the defence failed to establish exceptional circumstances to warrant a stay of proceedings, allowing the trial to proceed.
The decision means the substantive criminal case remains active, with the High Court expected to continue hearing the matter unless further legal action is taken.
Meanwhile, lead counsel Andy Appiah Kubi said the defence team is reviewing the ruling and will decide on its next steps.
He indicated that the options under consideration include filing an appeal at the Supreme Court of Ghana or returning to the High Court to proceed with the defence.
