Court declines Appiah-Kubi's request to withdraw from Wontumi mining case

The High Court in Accra has refused to entertain an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi to withdraw from the criminal case involving Chairman Wontumi and Akonta Mining Company Limited.

The court held that the application was not properly before it because a lawyer does not require the court’s permission to stop representing a client.

Mr Appiah-Kubi had filed the motion after announcing his intention to withdraw from the case, citing concerns about how the proceedings had been handled.

But the Attorney-General objected to the application.

The State argued that the motion did not raise any issue requiring a ruling from the court.

According to the Attorney-General, since legal representation is a matter between counsel and client, the court had no basis to grant or refuse permission for counsel to withdraw.

The court agreed with the State’s position and upheld the preliminary objection.

It consequently struck out the application.

The case involves Akonta Mining Company Limited, Kwame Antwi and Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

They are standing trial before the Criminal Division of the High Court in Accra in relation to an alleged illegal mining matter.

The court also addressed the filing of closing addresses in the case.

It noted that filing closing addresses remains optional under the applicable procedural rules.

However, it extended the time for any party that wishes to file closing submissions to do so by June 24, 2026.

The matter has been adjourned to July 3, 2026, for judgment.

The ruling means the case will proceed toward judgment despite Mr Appiah-Kubi’s attempt to formally exit the proceedings through a court application.