Lawyer for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has denied claims that his client has made any
Lawyer for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has denied claims that his client has made any plea bargain offer to the Office of the Attorney-General.
Andy Appiah-Kubi dismissed the reports, describing them as premature and unfounded. He explained that discussions about a plea deal were not even on the table since the case had not reached that stage.
“My client has not made any such offer. It is too early to even talk about a plea bargain when the case has not advanced to that point,” he stated.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi noted that the defense team is waiting for the next legal steps from the Attorney-General before determining their strategy.
His response follows comments by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, who recently revealed that his office had received several offers related to the ongoing prosecution of Chairman Wontumi over alleged illegal mining activities.
Dr. Ayine, speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, said all such offers were rejected, emphasizing that any plea bargain would only be considered under the supervision of a competent court.
He further stressed that his prosecutorial decisions remain independent, adding that claims by the NPP suggesting he was “cutting deals” were completely false.
“No deal has been cut, and no deal will be cut except under the auspices of a court of competent jurisdiction,” the Attorney-General stressed.
Chairman Wontumi is currently facing prosecution for his alleged involvement in illegal mining (galamsey) operations linked to Akonta Mining Limited.
He is accused of operating without a valid license, assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval, and facilitating unlicensed mining within the Samreboi Forest Reserve in the Western Region.
A joint security operation in April 2025 uncovered excavators, cash, firearms, and other equipment allegedly used in the illegal activities.
Wontumi has pleaded not guilty and has been granted bail by the High Court in Accra, under conditions that include surrendering his passport and being placed on a stop list.