Samuel Atta Akyea has explained that he was outside Ghana when the High Court sentenced Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to 20 years in prison because he had travelled to the United Kingdom for his daughter’s graduation.
The lead counsel for the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman said his absence was based on personal commitments and his expectation that the court would first address a constitutional matter raised by the defence before proceeding with the judgement.
“It’s very unfortunate because if I should let you know how personal it was for me to join my daughter who was graduating in the UK, I didn’t see how I could have absented myself,” he said on Joy FM’s Top Story.
Mr Atta Akyea said the defence had expected the constitutional issues raised in the case to be referred to the Supreme Court, which would have affected the timing of the proceedings.
“There was a constitutional matter staring at the court in the face. We wanted to move that motion, which I knew, if the judge would respect the hierarchy of the court and even the law, that reference should have been made,” he stated.
He added that his absence should not be interpreted as abandoning his client.
“I had not left Ghana to sort of leave my client in that kind of predicament.
“I left Ghana on good measure that my daughter was graduating, and I needed to be around,” he said.
