The Accra High Court has ordered the prosecution to file its disclosures within 14 days after plea bargain negotiations involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, ended without an agreement.
The negotiations, which had lasted about a month, broke down after the State rejected a proposal from Wontumi’s legal team, saying it did not adequately address the prosecution’s concerns.
Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai earlier indicated that the State was not satisfied with the proposal and intended to reject it.
With the plea bargain talks unsuccessful, the case is now expected to proceed to trial.
Wontumi and his co-accused, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, have pleaded not guilty to four charges:
- Defrauding by false pretence
- Forgery
- Money laundering
- Intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution
The prosecution alleges that the accused obtained about GH¢14.3 million from Ghana EXIM Bank between 2018 and 2022 through Wontumi Farms Limited for a farming project that was allegedly not undertaken.
The State further alleges that a forged receipt was submitted in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million credit facility.
The accused persons have denied the allegations.
The court’s disclosure order means the prosecution must provide the defence with the evidence and documents it intends to rely on at trial, allowing the accused persons and their lawyers to prepare their defence.
The next major step: the prosecution must file its disclosures within the 14-day deadline, after which the case can proceed towards trial.
