The Attorney-General has asked the High Court in Accra to dismiss an application seeking to defer judgment in the criminal trial involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. According to the prosecution, the application constitutes an abuse of the court’s process and is intended to frustrate the administration of justice.
In an affidavit filed in opposition to the application, the Attorney-General stated that the accused persons closed their defence on June 3, 2026, after which the court adjourned the case for judgment. The prosecution argued that the accused had been represented by legal counsel of their own choice throughout the proceedings and that there had been no violation of their constitutional right to legal representation.
The affidavit further stated that the previous legal team voluntarily and amicably withdrew from the case “and, most importantly, not for cause.” To support this position, the Attorney-General attached a public statement issued by Bernard Antwi Boasiako on June 15, 2026, announcing the appointment of former Member of Parliament and lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea as his new lead defence counsel while expressing appreciation to his former legal team.
In the statement, Boasiako said the decision to appoint a new legal team should not be interpreted as a reflection on the competence or dedication of his former lawyers but rather as an exercise of his constitutional right to choose his legal representation.
The Attorney-General argued that under such circumstances, the incoming lawyers should have obtained the case records and briefing materials from the outgoing legal team instead of applying to the court registry. The prosecution alleged that the decision to seek the records from the registry was made in bad faith and was aimed at delaying the proceedings.
The prosecution also questioned the conduct of the new defence team, noting that although Boasiako publicly announced the appointment of Atta Akyea on June 15, the formal notice of appointment was not filed until June 22, 2026. According to the Attorney-General, the seven-day delay further demonstrates an intention to frustrate the judicial process.
The Attorney-General has therefore urged the High Court to summarily dismiss the application, arguing that granting it would amount to endorsing an abuse of the court’s processes and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
The criminal case also involves Akonta Mining Company Limited as the third accused person, while a second accused remains at large. Judgment in the matter is pending the court’s determination of the defence application.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
