Atta Akyea to File Appeal, Seek Bail for Wontumi This Week

Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for jailed Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has confirmed that he will file an appeal against the conviction hopefully this week, and simultaneously apply for bail pending the hearing of the appeal.

The lawyer made the remarks on Saturday, July 25, 2026, during his appearance on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme, just five days after his client was sentenced.

Atta Akyea contended that Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay accorded herself the role of a Supreme Court judge by not allowing the defence to seek interpretation on a constitutional matter.

Ambulance justice
In a passionate submission, Atta Akyea cautioned the judiciary against what he described as an “ambulance justice system,” arguing that courts should not rush politically sensitive cases simply to align with political timelines. “Justice hasn’t got a political term of four years,” he stated emphatically.

Fast-tracking
He questioned the urgency with which the trial was conducted, suggesting that high-profile political cases are being fast-tracked while ordinary civil matters languish in the system for years. He challenged whether judges would apply the same breakneck speed to other cases as they did in Chairman Wontumi’s trial.

The appeal strategy
Atta Akyea indicated that the legal team has already prepared the grounds for the appeal, which will challenge constitutional issues and the court’s interpretation of the Minerals and Mining Act, a key component of the case against his client. “We will file the appeal with bail, hopefully next week,” he told host Samson Lardy Anyenini.