The High Court in Accra has directed that the trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako and two co-accused must begin, following the failure of plea bargain negotiations between prosecution and defense teams.
This follows an extension of time previously granted by the court to enable the parties to negotiate a settlement proposed by the accused person.
At the court’s sitting, it was formally disclosed that no plea agreement could be reached between the Attorney-General and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
Consequently, the court directed the prosecution to file all necessary disclosures within 14 days to enable the defence to prepare its case.
The presiding judge has scheduled the Case Management Conference (CMC) for Tuesday, 22 September 2026, at 10:00 am.
Chairman Wontumi, who is currently serving a prison sentence following a separate conviction, is facing trial alongside two others.
The accused persons face four criminal counts, including defrauding by false pretences, uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body to the tune of GH¢30 million.
The charges stem from a transaction involving a loan facility obtained from the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
With the failure of the plea negotiations, the high-profile criminal case will now proceed to full trial.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana