The High Court (Criminal Division) has struck out an application filed by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi seeking leave to withdraw from representing Akonta Mining Company Limited, Kwame Antwi, and Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in an ongoing criminal trial.
The ruling removes a procedural hurdle in the case and paves the way for judgment to be delivered on July 3, 2026.
The court upheld a preliminary objection raised by the Attorney-General, who argued that the application was legally incompetent because counsel does not require the court’s permission to discontinue legal representation.
According to the State, the motion failed to raise any issue requiring judicial determination and therefore should not be entertained.
In its decision, the court agreed with the Attorney-General’s position and struck out the application.
The court further clarified that the filing of closing addresses by parties in the matter is optional under the applicable procedural rules.
However, it extended the deadline for any parties wishing to submit closing addresses to June 24, 2026.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 3, 2026, for judgment.
The application followed Mr. Appiah-Kubi’s recent indication that he intended to withdraw from the case, citing concerns about the manner in which proceedings had been conducted.
The Attorney-General’s Office challenged the move, maintaining that no judicial approval was required for a lawyer to discontinue representation.
With the application now dismissed, the case is expected to proceed to its conclusion when the court delivers its judgment next month.
