Several senior figures of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have arrived at the General Jurisdiction Division of the Accra High Court as proceedings resume in the plea negotiation hearing involving the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Among those present at the court are former NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay; the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah; Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; Akuapem North MP, Sammy Awuku; former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu; and spokesperson for the NPP flagbearer, Dennis Miracles Aboagye.
Their presence underscores the political attention surrounding the case, which relates to allegations that Chairman Wontumi fraudulently acquired a GH¢14 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, an amount prosecutors say has increased to about GH¢30 million due to accumulated interest.
Chairman Wontumi is seeking a plea agreement with the prosecution, with the outcome expected to determine whether the case proceeds to a full trial or is resolved through a negotiated settlement, subject to approval by the court.
The hearing has attracted significant public interest, particularly following Wontumi’s recent conviction and sentencing in a separate case involving illegal mining activities.
Background
Chairman Wontumi was recently sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after being convicted on offences related to illegal mining, in one of Ghana’s most closely watched cases connected to the government’s fight against galamsey.
He is, however, facing a separate criminal prosecution over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of a GH¢30 million facility from the Ghana EXIM Bank.
Prosecutors allege that the facility was obtained through fraudulent means and have brought charges relating to the transaction.
The EXIM Bank case remains separate from the illegal mining case that resulted in his conviction. The current proceedings before the Accra High Court are focused solely on plea negotiations between the prosecution and the defense.
Further developments are expected as the court proceedings continue.
