The High Court in Accra has struck out an application filed by lawyer and former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, seeking leave to withdraw as counsel for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The application related to the ongoing Samreboi illegal mining case, although Mr Appiah-Kubi did not publicly disclose the reasons behind his decision to step down from the matter.

The ruling, delivered on Monday, June 15, 2026, means the lawyer remains officially on record as counsel for the accused unless further legal steps are taken to vary the court’s position.

Mr Appiah-Kubi had previously filed a motion requesting the court’s permission to discontinue his representation. Under Ghana’s legal procedure, lawyers are required to obtain leave of the court before withdrawing from a case once proceedings have commenced.

The application had attracted public attention, with the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice opposing the move.

In a notice dated June 12, 2026, the Attorney-General’s Department argued that the application raised fundamental legal issues that needed to be determined before any withdrawal could be considered.

The State’s objection was based on issues of jurisdiction, capacity, and legal standing.

The court, after considering the submissions, struck out the application, effectively maintaining the current legal representation arrangement in the ongoing trial.