The Accra High Court has adjourned to July 6, 2026, the trial of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others in the GH¢30 million Exim Bank case to enable plea negotiations between the accused persons and the prosecution.
The adjournment followed an application by the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who informed the court on Thursday that the first accused person had elected to exercise his right under the plea bargaining provisions of the law.
Dr Srem-Sai told the court that a notice of commencement of plea negotiations had been filed pursuant to Section 163(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act on June 11, 2026.
He said the accused person had requested to take advantage of his rights under the legislation to negotiate with the state.
The Deputy Attorney-General further said discussions had been held with counsel for the accused earlier in the day and both parties had agreed to seek a short adjournment to commence the negotiations.
He consequently proposed a two-week adjournment to enable the parties to update the court on the progress made.
Adjournment
Counsel for the accused, Andy Appiah-Kubi, did not oppose the request and told the court that there was no need for him to add anything further since negotiations had commenced that morning.
He, however, observed that the proposed date of July 2 would coincide with a period during which the trial judge would be outside the jurisdiction.
After hearing both parties, the court adjourned the case to 11 a.m. on July 6, 2026.
In granting the adjournment, the court stated that the matter was being postponed to enable the parties to conclude the plea negotiations
