Wontumi Jail: Appiah-Kubi's strategy backfired, strengthened Republic's case - Lardy

Private legal practitioner, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has shared his views on the 20-year prison sentence handed to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Speaking during a discussion on JoyNews in a video shared on social media and sighted by GhanaWeb on July 21, 2026, Samson Lardy, while commenting on the legal proceedings in Chairman Wontumi’s case, argued that the NPP stalwart’s lawyer failed to effectively represent him.

According to Samson Lardy, Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, did a poor job during the cross-examination, which ultimately contributed to the politician’s 20-year conviction.

Appiah-Kubi returns as Wontumi's lawyer to appeal NPP chairman's 20-year jail term

“Wontumi’s lawyer, Appiah Kubi, in the cross-examination, actually, the main plank of their strategy was to say that once there is no document evidencing the bringing in of the third party, you cannot say that we have brought in a third party.

“…And that is how they intended to get him to escape. Unfortunately, that appears to have fallen apart and instead massively supported the Republic’s case,” he said.

While explaining his position, Samson Lardy further stated that the trial judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, indicated in her judgment that Wontumi’s lawyer had done him a “disservice.”

What Wontumi told his former lawyer before his 20-year jail sentence

Referring to pages 28 and 29 of the 59-page judgment, Samson Lardy said Andy Appiah-Kubi left several critical issues insufficiently challenged during cross-examination, thereby giving the prosecution an advantage in the trial.

“In fact, in the judgment, you will hear the judge say on a number of occasions, without stating it explicitly, that Wontumi’s lawyer also did him a disservice. Appiah Kubi did him a disservice.

“There were some cross-examinations that needed to be done on particular issues, but those matters were left without being properly addressed, or not addressed at all. Nobody challenged them after evidence had been led in a certain way. Appiah Kubi left those issues unattended to, and the court said, well, that is your problem. A significant part of this is discussed on pages 28 and 29 of the judgment,” he added.

Watch the video below:

Did Lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi fail Chairman Wontumi? You have to listen to this. #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/dbtUKFYwtf

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) July 21, 2026