Court Rejects Appiah-Kubi’s Attempt to Withdraw from Wontumi Case
The High Court has ruled that lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi cannot withdraw from representing Chairman Wontumi, citing procedural lapses and lack of legal basis for the application.
- High Court has rejected Appiah-Kubi’s application to withdraw from the Wontumi case
- The court cited procedural lapses, including failure to properly serve the client
- Appiah-Kubi remains counsel of record as the case continues
The High Court has dismissed an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking to withdraw as counsel for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in an ongoing criminal case.
In its ruling on Monday, June 15, the court held that the application had no legal basis and was not supported by any established judicial precedent. It also noted that the motion was not properly served on the client, a key procedural requirement.
The court emphasized that matters relating to legal representation in criminal proceedings must comply strictly with due legal processes between a lawyer and client.
The ruling effectively means that Appiah-Kubi remains the counsel of record for Chairman Wontumi as the case continues.
Appiah-Kubi had earlier publicly announced his intention to withdraw from the case, citing dissatisfaction with aspects of the court’s handling of proceedings in the ongoing Akonta Mining matter.
He raised concerns over certain judicial decisions and expressed disagreement with how the case had been managed.
However, the court ruled that his application failed to meet the necessary legal standards for withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the court has maintained its schedule for the case, directing all parties to file their final addresses by June 24, with judgment expected on July 3.
The substantive matter will therefore proceed as scheduled, with Appiah-Kubi remaining on record unless otherwise determined by the court.
