Attorney-General Blocks Lawyer’s Exit from Chairman Wontumi’s Illegal Mining Trial Amid Claims of 'Unseen Influences'

The Office of the Attorney-General has filed a preliminary legal objection in the High Court to block Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi from withdrawing as the lead counsel for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Appiah-Kubi, who represents both the politician—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—and Akonta Mining Limited, filed a motion to step down from the ongoing criminal trial related to illegal mining in Samreboi. The Attorney-General’s objection, which is set to be heard on June 15, 2026, challenges the jurisdiction and the procedural capacity of the lawyer to withdraw at this advanced stage of the proceedings, arguing that critical legal questions must be resolved before such a request can be granted.

Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s decision to withdraw stems from what he described as 'unseen influences' impacting the trial and a growing dissatisfaction with the court's handling of the case. He expressed discomfort with certain judicial rulings and procedural matters, specifically questioning why the court insisted on his personal presence despite known scheduling conflicts. While the lawyer emphasized that his move was not due to a lack of confidence in his client, he suggested that external factors might be compromising the integrity of the judicial process. This development has sparked significant debate within legal circles regarding judicial discretion and the potential involvement of the Ghana Bar Association to ensure a fair trial.

Chairman Wontumi currently faces a total of three criminal cases: two involving allegations of illegal mining without ministerial approval and a third concerning a GH$14.3 million fraud case linked to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM). In the GEXIM matter, Appiah-Kubi recently defended a request for a plea bargain, clarifying that seeking a settlement is a recognized legal framework in Ghana and should not be misconstrued by the public as an admission of guilt. The lawyer maintained that the presumption of innocence remains intact despite the ongoing negotiations, urging the public to refrain from jumping to conclusions before terms are finalized.

The legal instability surrounding the Ashanti Regional Chairman has also reverberated within the NPP. Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, a prominent party member, has cautioned young politicians against 'blind loyalty,' using Wontumi’s current legal struggles as a reminder that political alliances are often fluid and that personal interests must be protected. As it stands, the High Court has scheduled July 3, 2026, as the judgment date for the illegal mining case. Despite the friction between the defense and the state, the judiciary has reiterated its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law as the prosecution moves to conclude the high-profile trials.