Convener for Justice and Accountability Forum, Nana Bonsu has sharply criticised private legal practitioner Andrew Appiah-Kubi for applying to withdraw as lead counsel for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in an ongoing illegal mining case.
Bonsu described the withdrawal as a strategic move to delay the legal proceedings, suggesting the defense sensed the case was turning against their client.
This timing is particularly critical as Wontumi is currently campaigning to be elected as the National Chairman for the New Patriotic Party.
The commentator questioned the sudden shift in the defense’s approach, noting that the lawyer had consistently expressed strong optimism to the media throughout the trial. Appearing on Frontline.on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Bonsu remarked, “This is purely a delay tactic and trick that was deployed to delay the case. I am particularly disappointed in Mr. Appiah-Kubi for his action. When the case started, after every sitting, he granted interviews to the media expressing strong optimism that the case was going well, so at what point did he decide that things were not going well? I strongly believe this is purely a trick to delay the case. He knew the court would go on recess in July, and upon sensing that the case might not go in their favour, he deployed a strategy to delay the case.”
According to Bonsu, the primary goal of this strategy was to protect Wontumi’s political interests during his chairmanship campaign.
He argued that if the delay succeeded, Wontumi could secure the NPP chairmanship, allowing his party loyalists to dismiss the legal proceedings as mere political persecution against a party leader, effectively rendering the case dead.
Nans Bonsu emphasised that politicians who engage in corruption and corruption-related offenses must face punishment without fear or favor.
He concluded by pointing out that when Wontumi was previously insulting and maligning his political opponents, he was never called to order, but he has now grown out of control and the law has finally caught up with him.
Commenting on the plea bargain in the separate Exim Bank case, Bonsu stated that the move represents an explicit admission of guilt by Chairman Wontumi.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
