The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) has dismissed an application for a stay of proceedings filed by Dr Naa Dedei Tagoe, the third accused in the ongoing case of The Republic v. Charles Bissue, Raphael Mensah, and Dr Naa Dedei Tagoe.

The application sought to halt proceedings at the High Court after the trial court declined to suspend its earlier ruling of December 9, 2025, which directed that the first prosecution witness testify in camera.

Counsel for Dr Tagoe argued that the directive could undermine the accused persons’ constitutional right to a fair and public hearing, insisting that exceptional circumstances warranted a stay.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, maintaining that no irreparable harm had been demonstrated.

It further argued that the High Court’s ruling contained sufficient safeguards to ensure the protection of the accused persons’ rights and to prevent any miscarriage of justice.

After reviewing submissions from both sides, the Court of Appeal held that the applicant had failed to establish exceptional circumstances to justify the request.

The court therefore dismissed the application for lack of merit, paving the way for proceedings at the High Court to continue, where Mr Bissue and the two others are standing trial over allegations of receiving bribes and illicit gifts to unlawfully fast-track the issuance of a mining concession sticker for an unlicensed company.