The legal team for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has formally appealed his 20-year prison sentence and is expected to seek bail pending the determination of the appeal before the courts begin their annual legal vacation in August.
Speaking on Gold Morning Conversation, Wontumi’s spokesperson, Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, said the notice of appeal was filed on Tuesday, July 28, setting out the legal grounds on which the conviction and sentence are being challenged.
According to him, the appeal follows the trial judge’s refusal to refer a constitutional question to the Supreme Court, after ruling that the relevant provisions of the law were sufficiently clear and that no ambiguity existed to warrant such a referral.
Dr Boakye-Danquah disagreed with that position, arguing that where there is uncertainty in the interpretation of the Constitution, the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court for authoritative determination.
“The purpose of the Supreme Court is to settle such constitutional questions and eliminate ambiguity so that our institutions function properly,” he said.
He disclosed that the appeal was filed at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday and confirmed that the Court had acknowledged receipt of the application.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said the defence’s immediate priority is to apply for bail pending the hearing of the appeal. However, he noted that the timing remains uncertain because the courts are entering their annual legal vacation in August.
He said it is yet to be determined whether the Court of Appeal will sit during the vacation to hear the application or whether proceedings will resume after the courts reconvene in October.
Story by Ruth Quaye
