Andy Appiah-Kubi, lawyer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced he has filed a motion to withdraw from the ongoing illegal mining case involving his client.
The Lawyer disclosed that he has already informed both his client and the court of his decision to step aside from one of the cases pending before the High Court in Accra.
According to Appiah-Kubi, he has formally submitted an application to discontinue his legal representation in the case.
He explained that his reasons have been detailed in an affidavit filed before the court.
Reports suggest Lawyer Appiah-Kubi’s motion will be heard on June 15.
Read the full Affidavit in Support of the motion below:
“I, ANDY KWAME APPIAH-KUBI of No. 22 DRIVE, ISSERT STREET, NORTH RIDGE, ACCRA in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana make oath and say as follows:
1. That I am the Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Accused Persons and Deponent hereto.
2. That I swear to this affidavit as matters of fact which are within my personal knowledge, belief, and information.
3. That at the hearing of this application, Counsel shall seek leave of this Honourable Court to refer to all processes that have been filed in this case.
4. That upon instructions, I filed my indicated appointment as Counsel for the 1st and 3rd Accused Persons before this Honourable Court on the 28th day of October, 2025 and has remained Counsel for such Accused Persons till date.
5. That in the cause of my representation, I filed an application for orders directed at the prosecution to produce copies of the alleged deed of assignment between the 1st or 3rd Accused Person, and Henry Okum, and Michael Gyedu Ayisi, in proof of the existence of any such assignment, the WANT of Ministerial authorisaton of which my clients are charged under count one(1) and count five(5) in this trial. Such application was filed on the 28th day of November, 2025 and same annexed and marked as Exhibit “AAK 1”.
6. That this honourable Court dismissed this application even though the Respondent didn’t file any affidavit in opposition neither did it produce a copy of the said assignment.
7. That at the close of the case for the Prosecution, I filed a submission of no case to answer on behalf of the 1st and 3rd Accused Persons on the 18°’ day of February, 2026.
8. That, per a Ruling of this Court dated the 16th day of March, 2026, the said application, i.e. ‘Submission of no case to answer’ was dismissed and that the Accused Persons were ordered to open their defence.
9. That on the 18th day of March, 2026, an appeal against the Ruling of the Court (dismissing the submission of no case) was filed on behalf of the 1st and 3rd Accused Persons, pursuant to which an application for stay of Proceedings was filed on the 15th day of April, 2026, and which application was dismissed on the 16th day of March, 2026.
11. That it is on record that there have been serious disagreements even in decisions on procedural matters, sometimes ending in mistrust between prosecution, defence and the bench.
12. That, I feel very disappointed in the various decisions of the Court and do not want same to affect my performance and ultimately, the fortunes of my clients.
13. That I know how illogical it is to expect to win arguments at all times but my disappointment affects my emotional and psychological balance necessary for maintaining the level of performance for the task ahead.
14. That I know that the outcome of this case will not be the end of this matter, and believe that Justice will be better served on a better and more equitable platform with cooperating actors.
15. That I personally believe the interest of my clients will be better served if I withdrew to allow other professionals to come in and take over from where I am leaving off.
16. Wherefore, I pray for leave to withdraw my legal services offered to the 1st and 3rd Accused Persons upon my appointment”.
It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi and other persons are standing trial for allegedly undertaking mining operations on a concession at Samreboi in the Western Region without the consent of the sector minister.
The state has also accused Wontumi of permitting two individuals to undertake mining activities on the concession without authority and facilitating those operations.
Chairman Wontumi and two others are expected to face judgment on July 3 in the high-profile illegal mining case.
According to the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that the Accra High Court has scheduled July 3 for its final judgment in the case of The Republic vs Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and two others.
In a post shared by Justice Srem-Sai on X read, “The Accused Persons in the case – THE REPUBLIC v BERNARD ANTWI-BOASIAKO & 2 OTHERS – called their 5th and last witness today. The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago.
That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgment”.
Unemployment is a National Security Concern – Hon. Sammy Awuku#GHNow pic.twitter.com/jNjmxLfnwk
— GHnow (@ghnow_) June 12, 2026
