We've rejected amount offered by Chairman Wontumi for plea bargaining in EXIM Bank case - Deputy A-G

The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sai has said that his outfit has rejected a plea-bargaining offer made by lawyers of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.

The offer is in respect of charges against the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in respect of a loan facility he obtained from EXIM Bank.

Chairman Wontumi, has been charged with allegedly obtaining a GH¢14 million loan under false pretences for a farming project.

According to the prosecution, between 2018 and 2022, Chairman Wontumi and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako fraudulently obtained GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank under false pretences, using Wontumi Farms Limited as the vehicle for the transaction.

The charge sheet further alleges that Chairman Wontumi presented a forged receipt to EXIM Bank officials to support an application for an additional GH¢4 million facility.

He is also accused of knowingly benefiting from funds allegedly obtained through fraudulent means, forming the basis of a money laundering charge.

In addition, the prosecution alleges that the accused persons caused financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank through the transactions.

Speaking in an interview with 3news' Kemini Amonar on July 21, Dr Srem Said, "They made a plea proposal of what they want to offer. In our opinion, we are not satisfied and so we intend to reject it. In fact, we have in our minds rejected, just that we've not had a meeting with them to inform them of our rejection."

Asked when he intends to inform Chairman Wontumi and his team, Dr Sai said, "So we were supposed to meet yesterday but of course what happened yesterday (sentencing to jail) couldn't allow the meeting. We are still trying to get that meeting done before we go back to court next week."

On how much was offered as part of the plea deal, he said "They offered to pay some amount. It's enough that we are still bargaining. Because the plea bargaining is not supposed to be out there. When we finish, we'll announce the conclusion, but they made an offer. It's enough for the public to know that they made an offer which we found inadequate and we're going to meet them to inform them of our rejection."

He noted that whatever amount will be agreed on will include interest.

"You ought to pay all the money with interest. I mean otherwise then what's the point?" He quizzed.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako has since been imprisoned by an Accra High Court for twenty years over illegal mining offences. His lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi has said he will appeal the judgment.