The legal team for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is de
The legal team for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is demanding that state prosecutors release key documents they say are necessary for his ongoing trial involving alleged illegal mining activities.
The case, which was expected to progress to case management, has been adjourned to December 8 after prosecutors appeared before the Accra High Court without providing details of two additional witnesses they recently introduced. According to JoyNews’ Fatawu Bayaga, the defense insists it cannot proceed without reviewing the new witness statements and related evidence.
The trial centers on allegations that Wontumi permitted illegal mining on his Samreboi concession and assigned mineral rights without due authorization. The court had earlier adjourned proceedings to November 27 to allow the prosecution to file outstanding documents, but the defense says it has still not received them.
Speaking to journalists, defense lawyer Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi said they will file a motion on Monday to compel the prosecution to release the documents.
“At the last adjourned date, there was indication that prosecution wanted to file further documents, so we inquired whether such documents had been filed. Unfortunately, we have not been served,” he said.
He added that although prosecutors now claim they do not intend to file any additional documents, the defense believes certain materials remain in the state’s possession and must be disclosed.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi explained that if the prosecution fails to provide the documents, the defense will presume they do not exist. “Nobody can quote or rely on such documents if they are not made available,” he said.
The court has given the defense until Monday to file its motion, with the matter set to be heard on December 8.