Presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the court held that after considering submissions from defence counsel and Deputy Attorney-General Jacob Justice Srem-Sai, it found no sufficient grounds to compel the prosecution to provide additional disclosures.
The court noted that the State had indicated it did not possess the documents requested by the defence and was unable to obtain them, making an order for further disclosures unwarranted.
The case was adjourned to December 15 for the continuation of the Case Management Conference.
During proceedings, defence counsel Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi informed the court that they had filed a motion requesting further disclosures, arguing that the prosecution intended to rely on a purported mining document allegedly signed by Wontumi and another individual.
“We pray the court to order the prosecution to furnish us with the necessary documents,” he submitted.
Deputy Attorney-General Srem-Sai opposed the application, stating that the State had no copy of the document, identified by the defence as a deed of assignment, and therefore could not provide it.
Earlier in the sitting, the court reviewed aspects of Wontumi’s bail conditions. It emerged that although the court had instructed the accused to report to the case investigator, the investigator had not adhered to the directive.
The judge subsequently ordered that Wontumi should instead report to the court registrar, with each report documented and submitted accordingly.
Wontumi, together with Kwame Anto and Akonta Mining Company Limited, is facing charges relating to alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.
He is charged with facilitating an unlicensed mining operation, while co-director Kwame Antwi faces a charge of assigning mineral rights without approval. Wontumi has pleaded not guilty, while Antwi is currently at large.
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