Offers Were Made In Wontumi Case But I Turned Them Down

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice has disclosed that several offers were made to his office in connection with the case of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but he rejected them outright.

Dr. Dominic Ayine said he insisted that plea deals will only be considered under the supervision of a competent court.

Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, Dr. Ayine reaffirmed his commitment to due process and transparency in all prosecutorial decisions, emphasising that no political or external pressure has been exerted on him.

“Offers have been made, and I have turned all of them down. I have told everybody, please go to the court if you want a plea deal. In the Wontumi case, offers were made for a plea bargain, and I said, no, I am filing charges. If you want a plea deal, announce your intention to the judge. That is now my strategy,” he stated.

He said that the NPP had taken advantage of his earlier remarks about being open to plea bargains to suggest he was “cutting deals in the office,” a claim he dismissed as entirely false.

“No deal has been cut, and no deal will be cut except under the auspices of a court of competent jurisdiction,” he declared.

Background

Bernard Bosiako is facing prosecution over alleged illegal mining (galamsey) activities linked to his company, Akonta Mining Limited.

Authorities accuse him of operating without a valid license, assigning mineral rights without ministerial approval, and facilitating unlicensed mining in the Samreboi Forest Reserve in the Western Region.

A joint security raid on the site in April 2025 uncovered excavators, cash, firearms, and other equipment allegedly used for illegal mining.

Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted bail by the High Court in Accra with strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and being placed on a stop list.