Proceedings in the criminal case involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have been adjourned until July 27, 2026, to allow ongoing plea negotiations between the prosecution and the defence to continue.The decision was taken by the High Court in Accra after lawyers for both sides informed the court that discussions aimed at reaching a possible negotiated settlement had not yet been concluded.The case forms part of the Attorney-General’s ongoing prosecution of alleged financial crimes involving public institutions.Chairman Wontumi is standing trial over allegations that he fraudulently secured a loan facility from the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for an agricultural project.According to the prosecution, between 2018 and 2022, Chairman Wontumi and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako allegedly obtained GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank through false representations, using Wontumi Farms Limited as the corporate entity through which the transaction was undertaken.Court documents further allege that the NPP regional chairman submitted a forged receipt to officials of the state-owned development bank in support of an application for an additional GH¢4 million loan facility.The prosecution also accuses him of knowingly benefiting from proceeds allegedly acquired through unlawful means, an allegation that forms the basis of a money laundering charge.In addition, prosecutors contend that the transactions resulted in a financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank.The accused persons have denied wrongdoing and, through their legal representatives, have requested plea negotiations with the Office of the Attorney-General.When the matter was called on Monday, July 6, counsel for the prosecution informed the court that discussions between the parties were still in progress and had not reached a conclusion.Following that update, the court adjourned proceedings to July 27, 2026, to allow the negotiations to continue.Plea bargaining, which is provided for under Ghana’s criminal justice system, enables the prosecution and an accused person to negotiate a resolution to criminal proceedings, subject to approval by the court. If successful, such negotiations may lead to an agreed disposition of the case without the need for a full trial. However, any agreement reached must satisfy the court that it is in the interest of justice before it can take effect.