The High Court of Ghana in Accra has ordered the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to open his defence in the ongoing Samreboi concession trial.
The ruling comes after the court dismissed an application for a submission of no case to answer filed by lawyers representing the NPP regional chairman.
Chairman Wontumi is currently standing trial over matters related to a concession in Samreboi, a town in the Western Region known for its timber and mining activities.
His legal team had argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against their client and therefore asked the court to dismiss the charges without requiring him to mount a defence.
However, the court, after reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution, ruled that there was sufficient basis for the case to proceed. The judge therefore directed Chairman Wontumi to open his defence and respond to the allegations brought against him.
The ruling means the trial will now move into the defence stage, where Chairman Wontumi and his legal team are expected to present their side of the case, including witnesses and evidence to challenge the prosecution’s claims.
Legal analysts say the decision marks a significant step in the trial process, as the court has determined that the evidence presented so far warrants a full defence before a final determination can be made.
The case continues to attract public attention due to Chairman Wontumi’s prominent role in Ghanaian politics and his influence within the ruling New Patriotic Party. The court is expected to set dates for the continuation of the defence proceedings in the coming weeks.
