Lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, counsel for Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has explained his reasoning for withdrawing from his client’s Samreboi illegal mining case.
The veteran Lawyer alleged that the Ghana courts are turned into personal institutions, arguing that outside influence is taking precedence over evidence presented before the court.
According to him, he had no breathing space in Chairman Wontumi’s Samreboi illegal mining case.
He further disclosed that he intends to petition the Ghana Bar Association to address the matter he has cited in his affidavit.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM on June 11, 2026, Appiah-Kubi detailed, “Can we convict based on the evidence before the court? I always cry and pray that the court remains a court where judgments are made based on evidence presented in court and not at the whim of people outside it. If we are not careful, it will be as though one person acts and another is judged for it.
“I have filed a motion to withdraw from the case, and I have stated my reasons in an affidavit. I will also caution that we should not judge people based on appearances, because injustice to one person is injustice to all,” he said.
Andy Appiah-Kubi added, “Today we are here, tomorrow we are here, and there is no breathing space. Is this the only case in the country? I am going to petition the Bar Association to ask whether they will sit and allow this to continue. Are we going to allow our courts to become someone’s institution?”
Lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi further called on the Chief Justice to ensure public telecasts of high-profile cases in the country to reveal what truly happens in court proceedings.
He added, “I wish the Chief Justice would telecast some of these high-profile cases so people can see the real character of what is happening in our courts. I wish you could come to court and see the proceedings but some people outside the court are making all sorts of comments, saying he should be jailed”.
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 18th 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”.
Watch the video below:
@adom_tv Wontumi–Samreboi Case: I am withdrawing from the case as counsel. I have informed my client, Chairman Wontumi, and the court. My reasons will be made known in court, but I believe there are too many unseen influences surrounding the case, and I find the judge’s conduct throughout the proceedings unacceptable.” — Andy Appiah-Kubi Esq., Counsel for Chairman Wontumi #AdomNews ♬ original sound – AdomTV
