The High Court’s Criminal Division in Accra has dismissed an application by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking to withdraw as counsel in the criminal case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited, Kwame Antwi, and Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The court upheld a preliminary objection raised by the Attorney-General, ruling that the application was legally incompetent because lawyers are not required to seek the court’s permission before terminating their legal representation.
State prosecutors argued that the motion did not raise any matter requiring judicial determination and should therefore be struck out.
In its ruling, the court agreed with the Attorney-General’s position and dismissed the application.
The court also clarified that the filing of closing addresses by parties in the case is optional under the applicable procedural rules. However, it extended the deadline for any such submissions to June 24, 2026.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 3, 2026, when the court is expected to deliver its judgment.
The ruling follows Appiah-Kubi’s recent announcement that he intended to withdraw from the case, citing concerns over the manner in which proceedings had been conducted.
The Attorney-General’s Office opposed the move, leading to the court’s decision to strike out the application and allow the case to proceed toward judgment.
