Dr Justice Srem Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has said the Office of the Attorney-General has rejected a plea-bargaining proposal submitted by lawyers representing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in relation to the EXIM Bank case.
According to Dr Justice Srem Sai, discussions between the prosecution and the defence had commenced under the plea-bargaining process, adding that the proposal put forward by Chairman Wontumi’s legal team failed to meet the expectations of the state.
Speaking in an interview with 3news’ Kemini Amonar on July 21, Dr Srem stated, “They made a plea proposal of what they want to offer. In our opinion, we are not satisfied, and so we intend to reject it. In fact, we have in our minds rejected, just that we’ve not had a meeting with them to inform them of our rejection”.
“So we were supposed to meet yesterday, but of course what happened yesterday (sentencing to jail) couldn’t allow the meeting. We are still trying to get that meeting done before we go back to court next week”.
“They offered to pay some amount. It’s enough that we are still bargaining. Because the plea bargaining is not supposed to be out there. When we finish, we’ll announce the conclusion, but they made an offer. It’s enough for the public to know that they made an offer which we found inadequate and we’re going to meet them to inform them of our rejection”.
He noted that whatever amount will be agreed on will include interest.
“You ought to pay all the money with interest. I mean, otherwise, then what’s the point?”, He quizzed.
Earlier, the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that the prosecution filed a Notice of Commencement of Plea Negotiation on June 11, 2026.
He disclosed that Wontumi has expressed a desire to take advantage of the plea negotiation process provided under the law.
The prosecution disclosed that consultations had already taken place with lawyers for the accused, and both sides agreed to a brief adjournment.
The Accra High Court subsequently granted the request and adjourned proceedings to allow both parties to reach a possible resolution.
Wontumi’s case will return to the Accra High Court on July 6, 2026, with the prosecution and the defence expected to brief the court on whether a plea agreement has been reached or whether trial proceedings will advance.
It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi was slapped with fresh charges over a GH¢14.3M Exim Bank loan case.
He was slapped with fresh charges, including fraud by false pretence.
Wontumi, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako (at large) and Wontumi Farms Limited are facing four counts of charges per the charge sheet filed on Friday, May 15, 2026.
The charge sheet filed on Friday, May 15, 2026, signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, detailed that “Chairman Wontumi is personally facing three of the four counts of the charge of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); uttering of a forged document, contrary to Section 169 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); and money laundering, contrary to Section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)”.
“Together with Thomas Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited, they are facing the charge of intentionally causing financial loss to a public body, contrary to Section 179A(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)”, Starr FM stated.
Before, Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, revealed that the state will prosecute Chairman Wontumi, Wontumi Farms and its directors.
According to the Attorney-General, Chairman Wontumi and his company, Wontumi Farms Limited, made fraudulent misrepresentations to Exim Bank to obtain the loan facility.
Dr Dominic Ayine announced that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, chief promoter of Wontumi Farms, Exim Bank approved a medium term-loan facility of Ghs18,734,260.00, which included a grant component of Ghs6,768,260.00.
This offer was accepted via a letter dated January 23, 2018, and Chairman Wontumi, acting as the Chief Executive Officer of Wontumi Farms Limited and Thomas Antwi Boasiako, as director of Wontumi Farms Limited.
Dr Dominic Ayine revealed that the equipment was never procured, adding that the farming enterprise never materialised, with no young persons being employed in Asare Nkwatia.
According to the Attorney General, the company and its director and CEO forged a receipt in order to deceive Exim Bank into believing that they complied with the loan conditions.
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