The Accra High Court has scheduled 3rd July 2026 to deliver its judgment in the high-profile illegal mining case involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others.
Justice Srem Sai, presiding over the court, fixed the date on Wednesday following the formal closure of the defence’s case.
Before the adjournment, the court directed both the prosecution and defence teams to file their final written addresses by 17th June 2026.
The defence concluded its arguments on Wednesday after its fifth and final witness, Evans Addae, was cross-examined by the Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem Sai.
The conclusion of this testimony clears the path for the final stage of a trial that has gripped public and political attention for months.
Reacting to the court’s announcement, Tetteh Thompson, one of the defence attorneys representing Chairman Wontumi, expressed confidence in a favourable outcome.
“On our part, we have done what is necessary, and we are very convinced that the system will work and the court will do the needful,” Thompson told reporters outside the courtroom.
The high-stakes case stems from allegations of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, at a concession located in Samreboi, within the Western Region. Chairman Wontumi and his two co-accused face multiple charges linked to the unauthorised mining operations.
Throughout the trial, the court heard extensive testimony from both state prosecutors and defence witnesses. Notably, the defence’s fourth witness was the former Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.
With both sides having rested their cases, the upcoming 3rd July 2026 judgement will serve as the court’s final determination on whether the state has proven its criminal case against the ruling party regional chairman and his co-defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.