AG takles Appiah-Kubi over Wontumi case exit
Attorney-General Files Preliminary Objection
The Attorney-General has mounted a legal challenge against an application by defence lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi to withdraw from the ongoing criminal proceedings involving Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. In a notice filed at the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra on June 12, 2026, the Attorney-General’s Office raised a preliminary legal objection to Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s motion seeking leave to discontinue his legal representation of the accused persons in the case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited and Kwame Antwi.
State Questions Legality of Withdrawal Request
According to the Attorney-General, the application to withdraw raises significant legal issues that must first be determined by the court before any permission can be granted. The State argues that the matter is not merely procedural but involves substantive questions relating to the court’s jurisdiction, as well as the capacity and standing of the applicant. “The Republic shall, on the grounds stated herein, raise a preliminary legal objection to the motion on notice for leave to withdraw legal services dated June 9, 2026,” the notice stated.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai contends that the legal questions arising from the withdrawal application require judicial determination before the court can proceed to consider the merits of the request.
Appiah-Kubi Cites Dissatisfaction with Court Proceedings
The State’s objection follows Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s public announcement that he intended to step away from the case due to concerns about how the proceedings had been handled by the court.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on June 11, the lawyer expressed strong dissatisfaction with the court’s conduct in the matter. “I have withdrawn from the Akonta Mining case in Criminal Court 4 with stated reasons in the affidavit in support of my motion. My disappointment is in the attitude, record, and determination of the court so far in handling these matters before the court. I’m so totally disappointed that is why I am withdrawing,” he said.
Notice Served on Parties
The Attorney-General’s preliminary objection has been formally served on the Registrar of the High Court (Criminal Division) in Accra. Copies have also been delivered to the accused persons and their legal representatives at Appiah-Kubi & Associates (Nhyira Chambers) in North Ridge.
The filing signals the State’s determination to contest the attempted withdrawal and ensure that the legal questions surrounding the application are addressed before any change in representation is approved.
Legal Battle Set to Continue
With the preliminary objection now before the court, the case is expected to enter a new phase focused on whether Mr. Appiah-Kubi can formally withdraw as counsel for the accused persons at this stage of the proceedings. The court’s eventual ruling on the objection could have significant implications for the conduct of the trial and the legal representation of Chairman Wontumi and the other accused persons as the matter continues before the High Court.
