Mr. Andrew Appiah-Kubi, lead counsel for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced his withdrawal from his client’s high-profile criminal case, citing concerns over “unseen influences” surrounding the proceedings.
The former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North disclosed that he has already formally notified both his client and the Accra High Court of his decision to step aside.
The withdrawal is rooted in deep reservations regarding the integrity of the judicial process.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Mr. Appiah-Kubi suggested that external factors may be compromising the conduct of the case.
He expressed particular frustration over the court’s insistence on his personal appearance, which he argues disregarded his prior notifications of scheduling conflicts tied to multiple other court commitments.
According to the veteran lawyer, this lack of professional accommodation raises serious questions about basic fairness within the judicial system.
Driven by these concerns, Mr. Appiah-Kubi revealed that he has petitioned the Ghana Bar Association to intervene.
He emphasised that the judiciary must remain an independent sanctuary, warning that decisions must be strictly bound to the evidence presented at trial rather than external pressures or outside interference.
Allowing such influences to sway rulings, he cautioned, would severely undermine the delivery of justice and trigger a institutional crisis for the country, adding that Ghana cannot afford to continue a cycle of political “tit-for-tat” whenever power changes hands.
The Accra High Court has set July 3, 2026, to deliver its final judgment in the illegal mining trial involving Chairman Wontumi and his company, Akonta Mining Limited.
The high-stakes case centers on allegations that the firm facilitated mining operations on the Samreboi concession in the Western Region without obtaining the required ministerial approval.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana