Plea bargain negotiations between the Attorney-General’s Office and lawyers for Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have hit a major roadblock, with prosecutors confirming that no agreement has been reached in the high-profile EXIM Bank trial.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, disclosed that discussions between the state and the accused persons remain inconclusive as the legally permitted 30-day negotiation period approaches its end.
“The statutory 30-day period for concluding the plea bargain in The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 Others—the EXIM Bank trial—will end next week. I can confirm that we have not reached a plea agreement yet,” he announced.
Chairman Wontumi formally initiated the plea negotiation process through his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, in a letter dated June 5, 2026. The Attorney-General’s Office subsequently notified the Accra High Court about the commencement of negotiations on June 11.
However, the latest confirmation means the dramatic legal battle could return to a full trial should both sides fail to settle on acceptable terms before the deadline.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited over an alleged financial transaction involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank.
Prosecutors allege that Wontumi Farms Limited obtained GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank after presenting information and documents connected to a proposed agricultural project. The state further claims that the alleged transactions and subsequent use of the funds caused losses exceeding GH¢30 million.
Chairman Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to charges including defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
The case is expected to return to court on July 27, when prosecutors and defence lawyers will update the judge on whether a last-minute agreement has been secured or the trial must proceed.
With the plea bargain deadline closing rapidly, all eyes are now on the Attorney-General and Chairman Wontumi’s legal team as the GH¢30 million EXIM Bank case enters another tense phase.
