A letter filed at the High Court has ignited public debate, with many Ghanaians calling on the Attorney-General’s Department and government to reject a plea bargain request by NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to court documents filed June 11, 2026, under Docket No. CR/0529/2026, Wontumi, through his counsel Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi, wrote to the Attorney-General on June 5, 2026 requesting to initiate plea negotiations in respect of charges in the ongoing trial. The notification, signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, was served to the High Court Registrar.
Wontumi is the 1st Accused Person in the case “The Republic vs Bernard Antwi-Boasiako @ Wontumi, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako (at large) & Wontumi Farms Limited”.
Since news of the plea negotiation surfaced, social media and political commentators have been divided. A section of the public is urging the AG’s Department to reject the request and pursue full prosecution, arguing that plea bargains in high-profile cases undermine accountability. Others say plea negotiations are a legitimate legal process under Section 162C(3) of Act 30 and should be allowed to run its course.
The Attorney-General’s Department has not yet announced its position on whether it will accept or reject the plea bargain request. The court is expected to be updated as proceedings continue.
Plea bargaining was introduced in Ghana’s Criminal Procedure Act to help decongest courts and secure convictions, but its use in politically sensitive cases often sparks controversy.
