The state has refiled criminal charges against former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following the collapse of plea negotiations between his legal team and the prosecution. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The case concerns allegations that Mr Boasiako played a role in defrauding Ghana Exim Bank of more than GH¢14 million and causing financial loss to the state estimated at about GH¢30 million.
The fresh charges were filed on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after earlier attempts by the defence and prosecution to reach an agreement through plea negotiations failed to produce a settlement. The development moves the case back towards the formal prosecution process after several weeks of discussions between the two sides.
Mr Boasiako was first arraigned on May 18, 2026, in connection with the alleged financial offences. His legal representation during the plea discussions was initially led by lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi before Samuel Atta Akyea subsequently took over as lead counsel.
The plea negotiations had raised the possibility of resolving the case without proceeding through a full trial. On July 27, 2026, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai indicated that discussions between the parties were “far advanced”.
However, the negotiations ultimately ended without an agreement. By August 27, the Accra High Court had been informed that the parties had failed to reach acceptable terms, prompting the court to direct the prosecution to file its disclosures as the case moved towards trial preparation. Reports at the time indicated that a proposal from the defence had not satisfied the prosecution.
With the negotiations unsuccessful, the prosecution has now filed a new charge sheet containing four principal offences.
These are defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state. Corrections Policy
The charges relate to allegations surrounding transactions involving Ghana Exim Bank. However, the filing of charges does not establish guilt, and the allegations remain matters for determination through the judicial process.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, state prosecutors applied to withdraw the previous charge sheet to make way for the newly filed charges. The application was part of the procedural steps required to move forward with the fresh case.
Mr Boasiako’s lawyers, however, requested an adjournment, arguing that the new charge sheet had only been served on them on the morning of the hearing.
The defence’s request meant counsel needed additional time to examine the fresh charges and prepare an appropriate response. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 13, 2026. Editorial Standards
The latest development follows a series of procedural steps in the case since the accused person was first brought before the court. The unsuccessful plea negotiations had temporarily shifted attention away from the substantive allegations and towards the possibility of an agreed resolution.
Under Ghana’s plea-bargaining framework, negotiations can provide an avenue for an accused person and the prosecution to reach an agreement subject to applicable legal and judicial requirements. In this case, however, the discussions did not produce terms acceptable to both sides, leaving the prosecution to proceed with the criminal case.
The August proceedings had already signalled a move towards trial preparation, with the court directing the state to provide disclosures after the plea discussions failed. The latest filing therefore represents another procedural step as the parties prepare to address the allegations before the court.
The financial figures at the centre of the case have attracted considerable public attention. The prosecution alleges that more than GH¢14 million was obtained from Ghana Exim Bank through fraudulent conduct, while the alleged financial loss to the state is estimated at approximately GH¢30 million.
The exact evidence supporting each charge will have to be tested through the legal process, particularly as the fresh charge sheet is examined by the defence and the prosecution presents its case.
For now, the October 13 hearing is expected to provide the next significant procedural development. The court will have to determine how the newly filed charges proceed after the defence has had an opportunity to study the allegations and respond.
As the case continues, Mr Boasiako remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court determines otherwise.