Wontumi Seeks Plea Bargain in High Court Criminal Case, Attorney-General Notifies Court

The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice has formally notified the High Court in Accra that Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, has initiated plea negotiations in an ongoing criminal case before the court.

According to a “Notification of Commencement of Plea Negotiation” filed in the High Court, the first accused person, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, through his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, requested the commencement of plea negotiations in a letter dated June 5, 2026, addressed to the Attorney-General.

The case, docketed as CR/0529/2026, lists The Republic as the prosecution, with Bernard Antwi-Boasiako named as the first accused person. Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is indicated as being at large, is listed as the second accused person, while Wontumi Farms Limited is named as the third accused person.

The notice, signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, informed the court that the request was made in respect of the charges currently before the trial court. The filing was submitted pursuant to Section 162C(3) of Act 30, which governs plea negotiation procedures under Ghanaian law.

Plea negotiations, commonly referred to as plea bargaining, allow the prosecution and an accused person to engage in discussions that may lead to an agreement regarding charges, sentencing recommendations, or other aspects of a criminal proceeding, subject to court approval.

The filing does not disclose the specific terms of the proposed negotiations or whether an agreement has been reached. It merely serves as formal notice to the court that the plea negotiation process has commenced.

The development marks a significant stage in the proceedings and could influence the direction and duration of the trial, depending on the outcome of the negotiations between the parties.

Court records show that the notification was filed at the High Court in Accra on June 11, 2026, and was directed to the Registrar of the High Court (General Jurisdiction) for service on the accused persons or their legal representatives.