Accra, July 27, GNA – The case involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, over an alleged EXIM Bank fraud has been adjourned to August 27, 2026.
The adjournment followed an application for more time to allow the parties to continue discussions on a possible plea bargain with the State.
Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, who is now representing Mr Boasiako, informed the Accra High Court on Monday that there had been developments in the matter requiring the court’s attention.
Mr Atta Akyea told the court that Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi had withdrawn his legal services in the case and he was seeking leave to formally assume responsibility as counsel for Mr Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He said the change of counsel followed the NPP’s decision to assist in providing legal support for Mr Boasiako.
Mr Atta Akyea further informed the court that he had conferred with Dr Justice Edem Srem-Sai, the Deputy Attorney General, on continuing plea bargain discussions.
“I pray that in that circumstance the court indulge us time to enable us to undertake that exercise” (plea bargaining).
He initially requested that the matter be adjourned to October to allow the parties to conclude discussions and agree on clear terms.
Dr Srem-Sai, however, proposed a shorter period, asking the court to grant 30 days instead of 90 days.
“We have done some conversation with the previous counsel, and I believe we can pick it up from there,” he added.
The Deputy Attorney General told the court that the law allowed plea bargaining discussions to continue alongside the trial process.
He said the parties would have concluded the plea bargaining process but for Mr Boasiako’s conviction in another matter.
At Monday’s sitting, a large number of NPP supporters, family members and sympathisers gathered at the court premises.
Among those present were Mr Freddie Blay, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, former Majority Leader; Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi; Anthony Kabo; Nana Akomea; and Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson for Mr Boasiako.
Police officers and armed Prison Service personnel were deployed at strategic locations within and around the courtroom.
Mr Boasiako, an entrepreneur and owner of Wontumi Farms, is facing allegations relating to an EXIM Bank loan facility said to have been secured for a maize farming project on a 100-acre land.
The prosecution alleges that the project was not undertaken and that documents were presented for the purchase of agricultural machinery valued at GH₵4 million.
The alleged loan facility is said to have accrued to about GH₵30 million.
Mr Boasiako is alleged to have committed the offence with an associate, Thomas Antwi Boasiako, who is currently at large.
Mr Boasiako, who is serving a separate conviction, has denied the charges.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Joyce Danso
Email: [email protected]