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The lawyer for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has dismissed reports suggesting that his client has made a plea bargain offer to the Office of the Attorney-General.
According to his counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, no such offer has been made, describing the speculation as premature since the case has not reached a stage where plea discussions would even be appropriate.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Appiah-Kubi said the defence team is awaiting the Attorney-General’s next legal steps before determining their strategy.
His comments come after the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, disclosed during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 22, that several plea bargain offers had been made to his office in connection with the ongoing prosecution of Chairman Wontumi over alleged illegal mining activities.
Dr. Ayine said he had rejected all such offers, stressing that any plea bargain would only be considered under the supervision of a competent court. He also emphasised that his prosecutorial decisions are free from political or external influence, dismissing claims by the NPP that he was “cutting deals” as baseless.
Chairman Wontumi, the first accused in a case involving Akonta Mining Company Limited, faces multiple charges, including facilitating unlicensed mining operations and assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail by the High Court in Accra, with conditions requiring him to surrender his passport and remain on a stop list pending the outcome of the trial.
