WONTUMI’S EXIM BANK CASE HEADS TO TRIAL FOLLOWING FAILED SETTLEMENT

The criminal case against Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over an alleged EXIM Bank fraud has been cleared to proceed to trial after plea bargain talks between his lawyers and the State failed.

The Accra High Court has given the prosecution 14 days to file its disclosures following the collapse of the negotiations, which had been ongoing for about a month.

Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai said the State was not satisfied with the proposal presented by Wontumi’s legal team and had decided to reject it.

The prosecution said the defence had offered to make a payment to settle parts of the case, but the amount was considered inadequate.

With the negotiations ending without an agreement, the court has directed the prosecution to provide the defence with the evidence and other documents it intends to rely on at trial.

Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, have pleaded not guilty to four charges: defrauding by false pretence, forgery, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.

The State alleged that the two obtained about GH¢14.3 million from the Ghana Export-Import Bank between 2018 and 2022 through Wontumi Farms Limited for a farming project which was allegedly not carried out.

The prosecution further alleged that a forged receipt was submitted by Wontumi in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million credit facility.

Both accused persons have denied the allegations. The case will now proceed through the trial process.

By Agnes Kusi