Accra: The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has initiated a plea bargain process in his ongoing criminal trial related to the Exim Bank fraud case. This legal maneuver, a formal negotiation between the prosecution and defense, seeks to resolve the case without proceeding to trial.

According to Ghana Web, the court has approved Wontumi's request for a plea bargain, in accordance with Section 162C(3) of Act 30. The court has set a deadline of July 18, 2026, for the state and Wontumi to reach an agreement. Although Wontumi initially pleaded not guilty to all charges, he is now attempting to negotiate a deal that could potentially lead to the dismissal of the case.

The charges against Wontumi, along with two others, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako-who is reportedly at large-and Wontumi Farms Limited, include defrauding by false pretence, uttering a forged document, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution. According to the charge sheet filed on May 15, 2026, the accused allegedly secured GHS14.3 million from Exim Bank in 2018, following an application for a GHS18.7 million facility for a large-scale farming project under the name of Wontumi Farms Limited.

The prosecution asserts that no farming activities were conducted, no machinery was purchased, and no workers were employed. It further alleges that a document submitted as evidence of the purchase of farming equipment was forged, leading to a financial loss to the bank exceeding GHS30 million.

The specific charges Wontumi faces include defrauding by false pretence under Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, uttering a forged document in breach of Section 169 of the same Act, and money laundering as per Section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).