The High Court in Accra has adjourned the criminal case involving New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to July 27 to allow ongoing plea negotiations between the prosecution and the defence to continue.
The adjournment was granted after both parties informed the court on Monday, July 6, that discussions aimed at reaching a possible plea agreement had not yet been concluded.
Chairman Wontumi is facing charges in connection with the alleged fraudulent acquisition of a GH¢14.3 million loan from the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for a farming project.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed between 2018 and 2022, during which Chairman Wontumi and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako are accused of obtaining the facility under false pretences through Wontumi Farms Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that Chairman Wontumi submitted a forged receipt to EXIM Bank officials in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million credit facility.
He has also been charged with money laundering for allegedly benefiting from funds prosecutors claim were obtained through fraudulent means.
The charge sheet further alleges that the transactions resulted in a financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank.
Lawyers for the accused persons have requested plea negotiations, prompting the court to monitor the progress of the discussions before proceeding with the substantive hearing.
When the matter was called, the prosecution informed the court that negotiations were still ongoing and requested additional time to conclude the process.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to July 27 for an update on the outcome of the plea negotiations.
