By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Communications Director of the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has said that lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi’s decision to withdraw from representing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, does not serve the lawyer’s professional interests.
According to him, the move could create doubts in the minds of potential clients about a lawyer’s commitment to seeing cases through to the end.
“Appiah-Kubi’s decision to withdraw from Wontumi’s case does not serve his interests as a professional lawyer because anyone looking for a lawyer would think twice about engaging him, fearing that he might abandon them just as he did Wontumi,” Mr Owusu stated.
Speaking on Prime Insights on Saturday, Mr Owusu argued that walking away from a high-profile case at a critical stage could affect a lawyer’s reputation for reliability and commitment.
He said clients and the public often assess legal practitioners based on their ability to handle difficult cases and remain with their clients throughout the legal process. According to him, withdrawing from a case midway may create perceptions of inconsistency.
Chairman Wontumi is currently seeking a plea bargain in a case involving allegations of financial misconduct linked to the Export and Import Bank of Ghana (EXIM Bank).
The withdrawal of his lead counsel was reported shortly after developments relating to the plea bargain process. Wontumi, who has denied any wrongdoing, is expected to continue the case with new legal representation as the court considers his application.
Appiah-Kubi has not publicly provided detailed reasons for his withdrawal from the case.
Under the rules governing legal practice in Ghana, lawyers may withdraw from representing clients for reasons including a breakdown of trust, non-payment of fees or a conflict of interest, provided the appropriate procedures are followed and both the court and the client are duly informed.
Legal analysts note that while lawyers have the right to withdraw from cases, the timing and manner of such decisions can attract public scrutiny, particularly in matters that receive significant media attention.
The court is yet to rule on Wontumi’s plea bargain request.
