Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has been confirmed as the new lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka “Wontumi”. His first move will be to file a motion to arrest judgment in the Supreme Court case involving Wontumi.
The change in Wontumi’s legal team comes as the Supreme Court cracks down on how lawyers exit high-profile political cases.
Wontumi’s Legal Team Changes Hands
Atta Akyea steps in after former counsel Appiah Kubi tried to withdraw from the matter after judgment had been delivered. The Supreme Court rejected that move, calling the procedure “improper”.
The Court said even post-judgment withdrawals must follow strict rules: proper notice must be filed so the client is not left unrepresented. Appiah Kubi says he intends to file the correct notice.
Now Atta Akyea will argue the next phase. A “motion to arrest judgment” asks the court to stop a judgment from taking effect, usually citing procedural errors or new facts that came to light.
Torkonoo Case: Same Court Warning for Dame
The Wontumi development mirrors what happened in the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo case. Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame also wrote to the Supreme Court seeking to withdraw late in proceedings.
The Court rejected it for the same reason: procedure was “improper”. Judges stressed that lawyers cannot abandon clients at a critical stage without following court rules and protecting the client’s interests.
Why the Court Is Insisting on Procedure
The Supreme Court’s message in both cases is clear: withdrawal is allowed, but it must be done right. The goal is to prevent litigants from being stranded when cases reach their most sensitive point.
For Wontumi, the stakes are now with Atta Akyea. His motion to arrest judgment will test whether the court sees grounds to pause or review its earlier decision.
What’s Next: All eyes are on Atta Akyea’s filing in the Wontumi matter. In the Torkonoo case, Dame will have to refile his withdrawal properly if he still wants to exit.