Former Abuakwa South MP and lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has clarified that lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi was not dismissed by Chairman Wontumi but voluntarily decided to withdraw from representing him in the ongoing Akonta Mining case.
According to him, Appiah-Kubi had already informed his client, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, that he no longer wished to continue handling the matter before Wontumi approached him for legal assistance.
“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 Chairman Wontumi that, for some considerations, he did not see himself continuing with the case,” Atta Akyea explained on Citi Eyewitness News on Monday, June 15.
He said Wontumi later contacted him and informed him of Appiah-Kubi’s intention to withdraw, while asking whether he would be willing to take over the defence.
Atta Akyea stated that he agreed in principle but insisted on receiving formal communication from Appiah-Kubi confirming his withdrawal before accepting the brief.
The former legislator noted that one of the reasons he agreed to represent Wontumi was the sensitive stage the case had reached, arguing that it would be inappropriate for an accused person to be left without legal representation.
“I think this case is very sensitive. For him not to have legal representation will not sit well with the criminal justice delivery system. It will not be too good,” he said.
He explained that defence lawyers play a critical role at this stage of criminal proceedings by marshalling legal arguments and preparing written submissions aimed at challenging the prosecution’s case.
According to him, written submissions are often crucial because they seek to demonstrate that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The strength of the written submission, if it is based on evidence and law, will be good enough to secure an acquittal. Most lawyers will agree that that is how it works,” he said.
Atta Akyea stressed that the possibility of Wontumi being left without legal representation at such a critical stage was one of the major factors that influenced his decision to step in.
His comments come after Chairman Wontumi announced Atta Akyea as his new lead counsel following Appiah-Kubi’s decision to withdraw from the case.
The development has attracted public attention after the High Court dismissed an application by Appiah-Kubi seeking to withdraw as counsel, ruling that the application lacked the necessary legal basis and had not been properly served on the client.
