Accra (Ghana) June, 2026
Andy Appiah-Kubi, lawyer for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has announced that he has filed a motion seeking permission from the court to withdraw his legal representation in the Samreboi case.
Speaking on an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen, Thursday, June 11, Mr. Appiah-Kubi disclosed that he had formally written to the court about his decision and provided reasons for the intended withdrawal in an affidavit.
“I have filed a motion to withdraw from the case. I have cited my reason. I am withdrawing my legal assistance,” he stated.
The lawyer explained that the application is expected to be moved before the court on Monday, June 15, 2026 adding that he would refrain from discussing the specific reasons for his decision until the court has considered the matter.
According to him, the reasons for the withdrawal have been fully outlined in the affidavit filed before the court.
“My reasons are in the affidavit and we will take that motion on Monday, so I will not discuss it, but I have cited in the affidavit as a lawyer what I feel during a case like that,” he said.
He also stated that he would be prepared to comment publicly on the matter once the court has delivered its ruling.
“I pray that the court will be a court and after the decision, I will come and comment on the decision,” he added.
He dismissed any perception that his withdrawal is in anticipation of what the judgement will be on July 3.
Meanwhile, the High Court in Accra is set to deliver its judgement on July 3, 2026, in the Samreboi illegal mining case against Chairman Wontumi.
Wontumi, owner of Akonta Mining Company Limited, was hauled before two separate High Courts in October 2025 on different illegal mining-related offences.
In the first case, the prosecution accused him and his company of permitting two persons to undertake mining operations on his Samreboi concession without obtaining approval from the sector minister, slapping him with two counts of assignment of mineral rights without approval and two counts of facilitating an unlicensed mining operation.
The Attorney-General filed six criminal charges against the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, his company Akonta Mining, and one other individual identified as Kwame Antwi, a Director of Akonta Mining, who is currently at large.
According to the charge sheet, Wontumi and his company allowed two men — Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi to mine on Akonta’s concession at Samreboi without ministerial approval and without holding a mining licence.
Henry Okum and Michael Gyedu Ayisi were arrested following a special anti-galamsey operation in April 2025, which led to the arrest of 29 people and the seizure of mining equipment and weaponry.
An Accra High Court subsequently dismissed Wontumi’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for the accused to answer the allegations and ordering him to open his defence.
Wontumi completed his own testimony on May 22, 2026, after which the court granted his lawyers until May 28 to present any additional witnesses, cautioning that failure to do so would result in the defence case being closed.
The final witness was presented and discharged on Wednesday, June 3, clearing the way for the July 3 judgement date.
Presiding judge Justice Audrey Cocuvie-Tay will deliver the ruling, which is expected to draw significant public and political attention.
CRDIT:- 3news.com
