Read latest updates on Wontumi's GH¢30 million EXIM Bank case

The Accra High Court has given New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, up to August 27, 2026, to pursue a plea bargain in the GH¢30 million EXIM Bank fraud case.

The Accra High Court on Monday, July 27, 2026, granted the parties one more month to continue negotiations after Wontumi's newly appointed lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, appealed for more time to engage prosecutors.

Wontumi's bid for plea bargain fails in EXIM Bank fraud case – Report

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, on July 27, 2026, the request came during the first court appearance since Atta Akyea assumed responsibility for Wontumi's defence following the withdrawal of lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi.

Although Atta Akyea had asked the court to adjourn the case until October, the prosecution insisted that the discussions were already well advanced and could be wrapped up much sooner.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, disclosed that both sides had already exchanged proposals before the negotiations were interrupted by Wontumi's conviction in the separate illegal mining case.

"We have received an offer, and we have made a counter-offer, which we were supposed to conclude last week before the accused person's conviction in another matter derailed the negotiation," Dr Srem-Sai told the court.

The Deputy Attorney General explained that while plea bargain discussions can legally continue alongside criminal proceedings, the State preferred a short adjournment to give the parties the opportunity to conclude.

He noted that the prosecution was also holding back its disclosures to prevent them from affecting the ongoing negotiations.

"In order not to let disclosures, which we are yet to do, prejudice the plea negotiations, which indeed are far advanced, we would pray that My Lady accepts our waiver of the right to continue with proceedings and rather take a short adjournment to attempt concluding the negotiations before being directed to file our disclosures," he submitted.

Atta Akyea aligned himself with the prosecution's request for additional time, expressing optimism that the ongoing discussions could ultimately lead to the withdrawal of the charges against his client.

However, the court made it clear that the criminal proceedings would not be placed on hold indefinitely.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Halima Abdul-Alawa stressed that while the court was prepared to allow negotiations to continue, the case would remain on course for trial if no agreement was reached.

"I want to stay within Section 152(c)(5). I will adjourn with the view that the case is proceeding to trial without prejudice to the plea bargain," the judge ruled.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to August 27, 2026.

Wontumi and his co-accused, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, have pleaded not guilty to four charges: defrauding by false pretence, forgery, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss of more than GH¢30 million to a public institution.

According to the prosecution, the two allegedly obtained GH¢14.3 million from the Ghana Export-Import Bank between 2018 and 2022 through Wontumi Farms Limited for a farming project that was never undertaken.

The State further alleges that Wontumi submitted a forged receipt to support an application for an additional GH¢4 million credit facility.

NA/VPO