My withdrawal from Wontumi's Samreboi case due to disagreement with the court — Appiah Kubi
Lawyer Andy Kwame Appiah Kubi has explained his decision to withdraw from the legal team representing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in his ongoing illegal mining case.
Chairman Wontumi is standing trial in a criminal case involving alleged illegal mining activities at Samreboi in the Western Region.
The court is expected to deliver judgment in the case titled The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 Others on July 3.
The application is expected to be moved before Criminal Court 4 on Monday, June 15.
Speaking in an interview with the 1957 News on Thursday, June 11, the lawyer dismissed suggestions that his decision was due to a loss of confidence in his client.
Instead, he attributed the move to disagreements with certain decisions and the conduct of the court during proceedings.
"I must say that I'm disappointed with decisions of the court, and I'm disappointed with the attitude of the court," he stated.
Appiah Kubi explained that one of his major concerns was the court's refusal to grant an application seeking to compel the prosecution to provide copies of an alleged assignment that forms part of the case.
According to him, he expected the court to order the prosecution either to produce the document or formally state that it did not exist.
The lawyer further suggested that the relationship between himself and the court had become strained, a situation he believes could affect his ability to effectively represent his client.
"I think the court is getting personal with me as counsel, and therefore my absence may warrant an engagement of a new counsel. New counsel probably will be able to freely interact with the court for the court to understand the articulation of such counsel," he said.
The former Asante Akyem North MP stressed that his withdrawal would not prejudice his client, noting that Chairman Wontumi remains free to engage another lawyer, represent himself, or seek legal aid support if necessary.