The High Court has dismissed an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking to withdraw as legal counsel for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in an ongoing criminal case.
Delivering its ruling on Monday, June 15, the court held that the application did not meet the legal requirements necessary for withdrawal from a criminal case. According to the court, the application was not supported by any legal authority or judicial precedent.
The court further noted that the application had not been served on Chairman Wontumi, a requirement it described as fundamental in matters relating to legal representation.
In its ruling, the court emphasized that issues concerning legal representation in criminal proceedings are matters between a lawyer and a client and must be handled in accordance with established legal procedures.
The decision means Andy Appiah-Kubi remains counsel of record for Chairman Wontumi as the case continues before the court.
The ruling follows Appiah-Kubi’s recent public announcement that he intended to withdraw from representing Chairman Wontumi in the ongoing Akonta Mining criminal case.
The lawyer had cited concerns about the conduct of proceedings and expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the court’s handling of the matter. He indicated that he disagreed with certain decisions and directions issued during the trial.
However, the court concluded that the reasons presented did not satisfy the legal threshold required for withdrawal and therefore rejected the application.
Meanwhile, the court has maintained its timetable for the case and directed all parties to file their final written addresses by June 24.
Judgment in the substantive matter is expected to be delivered on July 3.
With the withdrawal request dismissed, the case will proceed as scheduled, with Appiah-Kubi remaining on record as counsel for Chairman Wontumi unless any future application is made in accordance with the law.
