Former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament and lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, has explained that one of the main reasons he agreed to represent Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was to ensure that he was not left without legal representation at a critical stage of his criminal case.
Speaking on the circumstances surrounding his appointment on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, June 15, Atta Akyea described the case as highly sensitive and stressed that allowing an accused person to face proceedings without counsel would not serve the interests of justice.
“I think that this case is very sensitive. For him not to have legal representation at this stage will not sit well with the criminal justice delivery system,” he said.
According to him, the role of a lawyer becomes particularly important during the latter stages of a criminal trial, where legal arguments and written submissions can significantly influence the outcome of a case.
He noted that defence lawyers are expected to marshal the evidence and present written submissions aimed at demonstrating that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The strength of the written submission, if it is based on evidence and law, can be good enough to secure an acquittal. Most lawyers will agree with me that that is how it works,” he stated.
Atta Akyea revealed that before accepting the brief, he was informed by Wontumi that his former lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, had indicated his intention to withdraw from the case.
He maintained that Appiah-Kubi was not dismissed by his client but rather communicated his own decision to step aside.
“Andy had indicated to my latest client that he wanted to exit the case, so he was not fired. It was his voluntary announcement to Wontumi that, for some considerations, he did not see himself continuing with the case,” Atta Akyea explained.
He said Wontumi subsequently approached him for legal assistance and asked whether he would be willing to take over the matter.
Atta Akyea said he agreed in principle but wanted formal confirmation from Appiah-Kubi regarding his withdrawal before assuming responsibility for the defence.
The former legislator added that the possibility of Wontumi being left without legal representation at such a crucial point in the proceedings weighed heavily in his decision to accept the case.
“It is too sensitive a stage for him to be abandoned, and I can say that was one of the considerations that made me elect to help him,” he said.
His comments come after Chairman Wontumi announced Atta Akyea as his new lead counsel in the ongoing criminal case involving Akonta Mining, following Appiah-Kubi’s decision to withdraw from the matter.
