Court orders state to file disclosures in EXIM Bank case involving Wontumi
An Accra High Court has directed the state to file its disclosures within 14 days in the fraud case involving businessman and former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi.
The order was issued after efforts by the prosecution and defence to reach an agreement through plea bargaining failed.
At Thursday’s hearing, a Principal State Attorney, Joshua Sackey, informed the court that the parties had been unable to reach an agreement under the plea-bargaining process initiated by Boasiako’s lawyer, Reverend Joshua Sackey.
The prosecution subsequently asked the court for permission to proceed with filing its disclosures.
Counsel for Boasiako, Samuel Atta Akyea, indicated that the defence remained open to plea bargaining, arguing that the process could be pursued at any stage of the proceedings.
The trial judge, however, noted that attempts to reach a plea-bargaining agreement had failed twice and that the statutory 30-day period for the process had elapsed.
The court therefore directed the state to file its disclosures to enable the case to proceed to a Case Management Conference (CMC).
The case has been adjourned to September 22, 2026, for the CMC.
Boasiako was absent from court when the matter was called.
He is facing allegations connected to a GH¢19 million loan facility obtained from EXIM Bank for a maize farming project reportedly intended for 100 acres of land.
The prosecution alleges that the farming project was never undertaken and that documents were submitted to support the purchase of agricultural machinery valued at about GH¢4 million.
According to the prosecution, the loan facility subsequently increased to approximately GH¢30 million.
Boasiako is alleged to have committed the offences together with his associate, Thomas Antwi Boasiako, who is currently at large.
Boasiako, who is currently serving a prison sentence, has denied the allegations against him.
Source: MyJoyOnline
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