Lawyer for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has said the defence team remains resolute despite the Attorney General’s decision to withdraw charges against one of the accused persons in the Akonta Mining case.
Speaking to the media after court proceedings, counsel for Wontumi, Mr. Andy Appiah Kubi, explained that the withdrawal of charges against the fourth accused, Mr. Edward Akuoko, does not alter the defence’s position or strategy.
“We have just been served with the notice of withdrawal of the fourth accused person. They have every right to do so under the rules of court. It doesn’t change our position. We are not guilty,” he stressed.
Mr. Appiah Kubi stated that Wontumi and his legal team are fully prepared to proceed with the case whenever the prosecution is ready, assuring that they would handle it “religiously and with the utmost professional diligence.”
He, however, cautioned against any attempt to influence the court’s decisions, reminding the Attorney General of his dual role as both government prosecutor and Minister of Justice.
“The Attorney General is also the Minister of Justice, and that role is even more important than his position as Government Prosecutor,” he said. “Justice must be administered fairly to all citizens. Our national emblem is freedom and justice and that must apply to everyone.”
Mr. Appiah Kubi further questioned the propriety of the Attorney General’s decision to rely on a former accused person to assist in prosecuting others, warning that such actions could undermine confidence in the judicial process.
“If, with all the resources available to him, the Attorney General chooses to rely on a former accused person to prosecute others, that is his decision. But his duty as Minister of Justice should compel him to ensure that freedom and justice are served equally to all accused persons until proven guilty,” he argued.
He also alleged that the prosecution’s approach appeared to be an attempt to “poach” its own accused persons, cautioning that the defence would resist any move that compromises fairness in the case.
“The way the Attorney General seems to be poaching his own accused persons suggests an attempt to undermine justice. We will resist the oppressor’s rule,” he declared.
The Office of the Attorney-General on Monday officially withdrew all charges against Mr. Edward Akuoko, a manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited and the fourth accused in the ongoing criminal trial involving the company and its officials.
A notice filed at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division) and signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem Sai indicated that the withdrawal was made under Section 59 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30). Following the withdrawal, Mr. Akuoko has been formally discharged from prosecution.
