H/L Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay on the morning of Monday, the 20th day of July, 2026 was informed of an adjournment letter sent to the Registrar of the Criminal Court seeking the postponement of business in the case of REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO @ WONTUMI CR/0004/2026.

The business for the day was the delivery of judgment in the said criminal matter. The charges against the accused persons were 6 counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and facilitating an unlicenced mining operation all contrary to the section 992(b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) as amended by Section 3 of the Minerals and Mining Amendment Act, 2019 (Act 995). Click here for full charge sheet.

STAR OF THE MONTH - Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah Esq.

Counsel for Wontumi prays for adjournment

In a gentle and paced manner, Counsel for the accused informed the Court of the absence of Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea. The Presiding judge patiently listened to Counsel and read out her decision on the adjournment sought.

Guided by the law on adjournment, the Court held that the adjournment sought by Mr. Atta Akyea is refused. The Court informed the fully filled courtroom of its intention to proceed to conduct business slated for the day.

The Court thus delivered its ruling on the motion of Mr. Atta Akyea seeking the Court to refer sections of the Minerals and Mining Act to the Supreme Court to interpretation. The Court relied on the filed motion and the opposition of the A-G on the docket of the Court. The Court dismissed the motion and went ahead to read its judgment.

Adjournment at Court’s discretion

In reliance on Supreme Court authorities, the learned Judge held the view that adjournments are at the discretion of Court not at the convenience of Counsel. On the facts and events leading to the 20th of July 2026, the Court formed the view that Counsel could have informed the Court of his absence for business on the 20th