Former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament and lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, has explained that his decision to represent Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was driven largely by concern that the accused should not be left without legal counsel at a crucial stage of his trial.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM, Mr. Atta Akyea said the case is a sensitive one, stressing that it would not be in the interest of justice for an accused person to face proceedings without proper legal representation.
He noted that legal representation becomes even more critical at advanced stages of a trial, where written submissions and legal arguments often shape the outcome.
“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.
He explained that defence lawyers often rely on evidence-based written submissions to challenge the prosecution’s case and seek acquittal where possible.
“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 disclosed that before accepting the brief, he was informed that Chairman Wontumi’s previous lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, had indicated his intention to step down from the case.
He clarified that Appiah-Kubi was not dismissed but had voluntarily communicated his decision to withdraw.
“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.
According to him, Chairman Wontumi later reached out to him to take over the defence, but he first sought confirmation of Appiah-Kubi’s withdrawal before agreeing to step in.
He added that the risk of leaving the defendant without representation at that stage was a major factor in his decision.
“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 follow Wontumi’s announcement of Atta Akyea as his new lead counsel in the ongoing criminal proceedings linked to Akonta Mining, after Appiah-Kubi stepped aside from the case.
Source: Adomonline.com
ALSO READ:
