The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has appointed Samuel Atta Akyea as his lead lawyer in a high-profile illegal mining case, after a court rejected an attempt by his previous counsel to formally withdraw from the proceedings.
Wontumi announced the appointment in a statement on Monday, describing it as a decision taken after “careful consultation” and in exercise of his constitutional right to legal representation of his choice.
The move came shortly after the High Court in Accra dismissed an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking leave to cease representing Boasiako, mining firm Akonta Mining Limited and another accused person in the criminal trial.
The court held that the application had no legal foundation, ruling that lawyers in criminal proceedings do not require judicial permission to withdraw from representing a client.
The judge further noted that the application had not been served on the affected client and was unsupported by any procedural rule.
The issue of withdrawal of legal services is a matter between counsel and his client, the court said.
Appiah-Kubi had publicly announced last week that he was stepping away from the defence team, citing concerns about the conduct of the court and some of its decisions in the case.
Despite dismissing the application, the court maintained 3 July as the date for judgment but granted parties until June 24 to file their written submissions.
In his statement, Boasiako thanked Appiah-Kubi and the former defence team for their work, stressing that the change in representation should not be interpreted as a reflection on their professionalism or commitment.
He said Atta Akyea would take over responsibility for the defence, review the court record and make the necessary submissions to ensure what he described as a fair hearing.
Boasiako, Akonta Mining and a co-accused have denied allegations that they carried out mining activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve without the required authorisation from state agencies.
The prosecution is among Ghana’s most closely watched cases linked to illegal small-scale mining, known locally as “galamsey”, a practice that has become a major political and environmental issue due to its impact on forests and water bodies.
Source: asaaseradio.com
