NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako — widely known as Chairman Wontumi — has made a significant move in his ongoing criminal proceedings, appointing former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament and seasoned lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea as his new Lead Defence Counsel.
The appointment was announced through a formal statement issued on Monday, June 15, in which Chairman Wontumi described the decision as the product of careful consultation and a direct exercise of his constitutional right to legal representation.
He was unambiguous about the purpose behind the change.
“I wish to respectfully inform the Court, the parties, and the general public that I have decided to appoint Hon. Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea as my new Lead Defence Counsel in the ongoing criminal proceedings against me,” the statement read.
In keeping with the measured tone of the announcement, Chairman Wontumi took care to express appreciation for the work of his previous legal team, emphasising that their departure should not be read as a commentary on their ability or their dedication to his case. The change, he insisted, is a strategic one — aimed at ensuring his defence is presented fully, effectively, and in strict accordance with the law.
The statement also served as a platform for Chairman Wontumi to restate his legal standing as an accused person.
“As with every accused person, I am entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court of law, and the burden rests on the prosecution to establish every element of the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt,” he stated — a pointed reminder of the foundational principles that govern criminal proceedings under Ghana’s Constitution.
He confirmed that Atta Akyea would move swiftly to assume full responsibility for the defence, reviewing the records of proceedings and filing any necessary applications to safeguard his client’s constitutional right to a fair hearing.
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Despite the pressures of an active criminal case, Chairman Wontumi struck a composed and measured tone throughout the statement, expressing confidence in Ghana’s judicial system and its capacity to be guided by the Constitution, the laws of the land, and the principles of justice and fairness.
He closed with a direct appeal to all parties and the broader public — urging restraint, patience, and a willingness to allow the legal process to unfold without speculation or prejudice.
As one of the NPP’s most prominent regional figures, Chairman Wontumi’s case continues to attract significant public attention. With Samuel Atta Akyea — a respected legal mind and former legislator — now leading his defence, the proceedings are set to enter a new and closely watched phase.