Wontumi fraud case: High Court grants 30 days for plea bargaining talks to resume

The High Court in Accra has given prosecutors and defence lawyers 30 days to finalise plea bargaining discussions in an alleged GH¢30 million fraud case involving Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi. Justice Halima El-Alawa Abdul Baasit made the ruling during Monday's court sitting, scheduling the next hearing for 27 August 2026.

The extension comes as both the prosecution and defence indicated that negotiations towards a possible plea agreement had reached an advanced stage before being disrupted by Wontumi's recent conviction in a separate case. Samuel Atta Akyea, who has taken over as lead counsel for Wontumi, formally notified the court of his appearance, replacing Andy Appiah-Kubi.

Recent conviction disrupted negotiations

Last week, Wontumi was convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in an illegal mining case related to Samreboi in the Western Region. This conviction temporarily halted the plea bargaining process in the EXIM Bank fraud matter, preventing the prosecution and defence from meeting to conclude their discussions.

Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Justice Srem-Sai acknowledged that meaningful progress had been made before the disruption. He told the court that the prosecution had already received an offer from the defence and made a counter-offer that was scheduled for completion before the illegal mining conviction intervened.

Atta Akyea confirmed he had conferred with Dr Srem-Sai and expressed confidence that the parties could reach a reasonable agreement through the plea bargaining process. The defence initially requested an October adjournment—roughly three months away—to allow sufficient time for negotiations. However, the prosecution argued that 30 days would be adequate, given the talks were already near conclusion.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Wontumi case represents one of Ghana's most high-profile recent criminal prosecutions, attracting significant public and political attention. As a prominent NPP figure, the outcome carries implications for party politics and public confidence in the justice system's willingness to pursue allegations of financial misconduct at senior levels.

Plea bargaining in white-collar crime cases allows courts to resolve complex fraud allegations efficiently whilst ensuring accountability through agreed settlements. The extended timeline suggests the accused and prosecutors believe they can reach terms that satisfy both sides without a full trial, potentially reducing court resources and time.

The case also illustrates how Ghana's criminal justice system manages high-profile prosecutions involving multiple charges across different jurisdictions. Wontumi's concurrent convictions demonstrate the complexity of cases involving politicians accused of corruption and financial crimes.

Legal framework and prosecution strategy

Section 162(c)(5) of Ghana's criminal procedure law permits plea bargaining to occur alongside trial proceedings. However, the prosecution has temporarily set this provision aside to allow dedicated focus on reaching a settlement, rather than advancing trial preparation simultaneously.

Dr Srem-Sai disclosed that the prosecution has not yet filed its formal disclosures in the fraud case, a deliberate decision to prevent those materials from disrupting ongoing negotiations. He expressed confidence that Atta Akyea, as new counsel, would continue discussions from the point where the previous lawyer left off.

Justice Abdul Baasit confirmed the court would continue following relevant legal provisions governing plea bargaining as the parties work towards resolution. The case will return to court on 27 August 2026, when an update on negotiation progress is expected.