A former MP for Akyem Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, has taken over as the lead counsel for the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as Chairman Wontumi in the Exim Bank loan fraud case.
Chairman Wontumi is facing multiple charges including defrauding by false pretences, forgery, and money laundering to the tune of GHc30 million.
In court on Monday, July 27, the private legal practitioner notified the court that Andy Appiah Kubi who was previously representing Chairman Wontumi as lead counsel had withdrawn his services.
He therefore prayed the court for leave to assume responsibility for the accused person.
Atta Akyea also urged the court for adjournment to allow the defence to resume the plea bargain negotiations with the Attorney-General.
“I have conferred with the Honourable Deputy Attorney-General and I’m of the humble view that we could go into his chambers for a reasonable plea bargain and he is amenable to it.
In the circumstances I pray the court to enlarge time to enable us undertake that exercise. My suggestion is that the action be adjourned to term time in October so that we have sufficient time to hammer out the terms of the plea bargain,” Atta Akyea implored.
Responding to his request, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai affirmed the assertion by Samuel Atta Akyea and disclosed that the parties could not finalise the plea negotiation due to the conviction and sentencing of Chairman Wontumi in the Samreboi case.
He however urged the court to grant a 30-day leave instead of the 90 days being sought by the defence Counsel.
“Considering that we’re yet to file disclosures and more so that it does not prejudice the matter, we will side with the defence for an enlargement of time except that we will pray for 30 days instead of the 90 days our learned friend is proposing. We’ve already done some work with the previous counsel and I believe we can pick up from there.
The law allows the bargain to run concurrently with the trial. However, the fact that we were almost at the close of the negotiation when the accused was convicted in another matter resulting in our inability to sit with him and his counsel, we believe that new counsel can pick up from where the previous left off.
In order not to let disclosures which we are yet to do to prejudice the negotiation which are far advanced we will pray that the court grants us leave to continue with proceedings and rather take a short adjournment to attempt concluding the negotiation before being directed to file disclosures.”
But the judge held that there was an initial order for the parties to update the court with the plea negotiation status. She noted that the court will record it as having failed since they could not complete the negotiation within the 30-day period.
After listening to both counsel, the presiding judge adjourned proceedings to August 27 for further directions.
By Laud Adu-Asare
