NPP Chairman Wontumi seeks plea bargain in EXIM bank fraud case

The Accra High Court has been notified that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is seeking a plea bargain in a criminal case involving alleged fraud and money laundering linked to the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).

In a notice filed on Thursday, the Office of the Attorney-General informed the court that the first accused person had initiated plea negotiations under Ghana's criminal procedure laws.

According to court documents, Mr Antwi-Boasiako's lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, wrote to the Attorney-General on 5 June expressing his client's intention to pursue a plea agreement. The Attorney-General subsequently filed the notification before the court under Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).

The filing, signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, was submitted to the court registry for the attention of the presiding judge.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is said to be at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited.

Prosecutors allege that between 2018 and 2022, the accused fraudulently obtained GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank through false pretences using Wontumi Farms Limited.

The prosecution further claims that Mr Antwi-Boasiako presented a forged receipt to officials of the state-owned bank to secure an additional GH¢4 million credit facility.

He also faces a money laundering charge, with prosecutors alleging that he knowingly benefited from proceeds obtained through the alleged fraudulent transactions.

The Attorney-General's office further contends that the transactions caused financial loss of more than GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank.

The court is expected to consider the plea bargain notification and determine the next steps as negotiations proceed within the legal framework governing plea agreements.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako has not publicly responded to the allegations, which remain before the court.