Former Akyem Abuakwa South MP Samuel Atta Akyea has officially taken over as lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the ongoing GH¢30 million Exim Bank loan fraud case.
Chairman Wontumi is facing several charges, including defrauding by false pretences, forgery and money laundering.
During proceedings on Monday, July 27, Atta Akyea informed the court that previous lead counsel, Andy Appiah Kubi, had withdrawn from the case and sought permission to assume responsibility for Wontumi’s defence.
He also requested an adjournment to allow the defence to continue plea bargain negotiations with the Attorney-General.
“I have conferred with the Honourable Deputy Attorney-General and I’m of the humble view that we could go into his chambers for a reasonable plea bargain and he is amenable to it.
“In the circumstances I pray the court to enlarge time to enable us undertake that exercise. My suggestion is that the action be adjourned to term time in October so that we have sufficient time to hammer out the terms of the plea bargain,” Atta Akyea said.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that discussions had been progressing but were interrupted after Chairman Wontumi was convicted and sentenced in the Samreboi case. He, however, urged the court to grant a 30-day extension instead of the 90 days requested by the defence.
“Considering that we’re yet to file disclosures and more so that it does not prejudice the matter, we will side with the defence for an enlargement of time except that we will pray for 30 days instead of the 90 days our learned friend is proposing. We’ve already done some work with the previous counsel and I believe we can pick up from there.
“The law allows the bargain to run concurrently with the trial. However, the fact that we were almost at the close of the negotiation when the accused was convicted in another matter resulting in our inability to sit with him and his counsel, we believe that new counsel can pick up from where the previous left off.
“In order not to let disclosures which we are yet to do to prejudice the negotiation which are far advanced we will pray that the court grants us leave to continue with proceedings and rather take a short adjournment to attempt concluding the negotiation before being directed to file disclosures.”
The presiding judge noted that the parties had previously been directed to update the court on the status of the plea bargain and ruled that the negotiations would be recorded as unsuccessful since they were not concluded within the stipulated period.
The case has been adjourned to August 27 for further directions.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar