An Accra High Court has granted the Attorney-General and the legal representatives of Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to begin plea bargain talks in the ongoing Exim Bank loan case.
The decision was taken on Thursday, 18 June, following a formal request indicating that both the prosecution and defence were willing to explore a negotiated resolution to the matter.
The Office of the Attorney-General had earlier notified the court of the development in a filing dated 11 June 2026. In that notice, the Prosecutions Division stated that the first accused person, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, through his lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, had expressed interest in entering plea discussions with the state.
The notification, submitted under Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), indicated that the request for negotiation had initially been communicated to the Attorney-General in a letter dated 5 June 2026.
The case before the High Court in Accra names Bernard Antwi-Boasiako as the first accused person, alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako—who is currently at large—and Wontumi Farms Limited.
The Attorney-General’s Department is leading the prosecution in the matter. The notification was signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai and filed at the court registry for the attention of the presiding judge.
Background to the Case
Chairman Wontumi is facing multiple charges including defrauding by false pretences, money laundering, causing financial loss to a public institution, and forging documents in connection with a loan obtained from the Ghana Export-Import Bank between 2018 and 2022.
Prosecutors allege that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako obtained GH¢14.3 million from the Ghana Export-Import Bank through false pretences using Wontumi Farms Limited as the borrowing entity.
The prosecution further claims that a forged receipt was used to secure an additional GH¢4 million facility, allegedly presented as proof of payment to officials of the bank.
According to court documents, part of the funds obtained were later handled by Chairman Wontumi and his company, despite the prosecution’s claim that the money was derived from fraudulent activity.
The state also alleges that the conduct of the accused persons resulted in financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to the Ghana Export-Import Bank.
Further proceedings are expected as the court oversees the commencement of the plea negotiation process between the parties.
