The Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra has dismissed an application filed by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking leave to withdraw as counsel in the ongoing criminal case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited, Kwame Antwi and Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The court upheld a preliminary objection raised by the Attorney-General, ruling that the application was incompetent because there is no legal requirement for a lawyer to obtain the court’s permission before withdrawing legal representation.
According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the motion failed to raise any issue requiring judicial determination and therefore ought not to be entertained by the court.
In its ruling, the court agreed with the State’s position, sustained the preliminary objection and struck out the application.
Court Extends Deadline for Closing Addresses
The court also clarified that the filing of closing addresses in the case remains optional under the applicable procedural rules.
However, it granted parties additional time to file any closing addresses they may wish to submit, extending the deadline to June 24, 2026.
Following the ruling, the matter was adjourned to July 3, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
Background to the Application
The decision comes after Appiah-Kubi recently announced his intention to withdraw from the case, citing concerns about the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted.
The Attorney-General’s Office subsequently challenged the application, arguing that no court approval was required for counsel to discontinue legal services.
The High Court’s ruling effectively clears the way for proceedings to continue toward judgment without further consideration of the withdrawal application.
