Some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have stormed the Accra High Court today, Jul 27, 2026, to show solidarity with the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Among the notable faces were Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the former Majority Leader, Oppong Nkrumah, Sammi Awuku, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, and Nana Akomea.
The NPP bigwigs were present at Wontumi’s ongoing GH¢14.3 million Exim Bank case.
In court, the Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the Judge Plea bargain negotiations between the State and Chairman Wontumi, in the Exim Bank criminal case, are at an advanced stage.
Samuel Atta Akyea told the court he has taken over the defence of Wontumi following the withdrawal of the previous counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi and subsequently requested an adjournment until October to enable the parties to conclude discussions on a possible plea bargain.
Justice Srem-Sai shared the defence’s desire to continue negotiations but proposed a shorter adjournment of 30 days instead of the 90 days.
He revealed that negotiations had progressed significantly before they were interrupted by Wontumi’s conviction.
The Deputy Attorney General told the court, “We have received an offer, and we have made a counteroffer, which we were supposed to conclude last week before the accused person’s conviction in another matter derailed the negotiation”.
“Most importantly, 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 said.
Atta Akyea agreed with the prosecution’s reasoning but appealed to the court to adjourn the matter until the next legal term in October.
The Judge, however, indicated that the court was guided by the provisions governing plea bargaining and would not halt the trial process.
The judge ruled, “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 case was subsequently adjourned to August 27 for further directions.
Earlier, before the court appearance, the Deputy AG had disclosed that 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.
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.
Watch the video below:
@ghnow_ Dennis Miracle Aboagye and Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu have arrived at the Accra High Court in solidarity with NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), ahead of the court proceedings. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Lawyer Kwesi Botchway has arrived at the High Court ahead of proceedings involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi). #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Hon. Oppong Nkrumah, Hon. Nana Akomea and has arrived at the High Court in solidarity with Chairman Wontumi #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – theprincelive – Daddy Lumba Fanatic 🔥
@ghnow_ Hon. Sammy Awuku has arrived at the court premises in solidarity with NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), ahead of the court proceedings. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
