Wontumi gets 4 more weeks to seal plea bargain deal

The High Court has granted Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), an additional four weeks to conclude plea bargain negotiations in a GH¢30 million fraud case involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The new deadline is August 27.

Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, recently appointed former Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea as his lead counsel. This change follows his conviction in the Samreboi illegal mining case. Atta Akyea replaces Andy Appiah-Kubi, who represented Wontumi in both the mining trial and the ongoing EXIM Bank case, which involves Wontumi Farms Limited.

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plea negotiations could not be concluded because of Wontumi’s conviction in the illegal mining case.

During the court session, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai informed the court that plea negotiations had stalled due to Wontumi's recent conviction. Mr. Atta Akyea, appearing with other lawyers, requested time to review the case details before advising his client. The prosecution had previously deemed an earlier offer from the accused as insufficient and is demanding the full GH¢30 million repayment, along with accrued interest.

Wontumi is accused of defrauding by false pretense, money laundering, and uttering forged documents. The charges stem from an alleged fraudulent application to EXIM Bank in January 2018 for a loan facility for a large-scale farming project. The bank approved a loan and grant of GH¢18.73 million, with GH¢14.3 million disbursed to Wontumi Farms Limited. Investigations reportedly revealed that the farming project was never undertaken, and agricultural machinery was not purchased as claimed. An altered document, purportedly showing the purchase of GH¢4 million worth of equipment, was allegedly submitted to secure further funds, with substantial amounts diverted to personal and other business ventures.

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requested time to familiarise himself with the case before advising his client.