Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, says no plea agreement has been reached with the accused persons in the ongoing criminal case involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others, as the statutory period for plea negotiations draws to a close.
In a social media update, the Deputy Attorney General disclosed that the 30-day period allowed by law for concluding plea bargain discussions in The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 Others will expire next week.
“The statutory 30-day period for concluding the plea bargain in The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 Others (the Exim Bank trial) will end next week. I can confirm that we have not reached a plea agreement with the accused persons yet,” he wrote.
On July 6 this year, an Accra High Court adjourned proceedings to July 27 to allow the prosecution and defence additional time to continue negotiations aimed at reaching a plea agreement.
Chairman Wontumi and the two accused persons have been charged with allegedly obtaining a GH¢14 million loan under false pretences for a farming project.
The prosecution has alleged that between 2018 and 2022, Mr. Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako fraudulently secured the amount from EXIM Bank through Wontumi Farms Limited.
The accused persons are also alleged to have submitted a forged receipt in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million loan facility.
Chairman Wontumi and the two accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges of obtaining money by false pretences, fraudulent breach of trust, and money laundering and opted to enter plea bargain negotiations with the prosecution.
The court is expected to receive an update on the status of the discussions on the plea bargain when the case is called again on July 27.
