Lawyer for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has dismissed suggestions that his client has made any plea bargain offers to the Office of the Attorney-General.

Speaking on Top Story on Joy FM, Andy Appiah-Kubi said his client has not done anything like that stressing that it is premature to even discuss a plea deal since the case has not yet advanced to that stage.

According to him, the defence team is awaiting the Attorney-General’s next legal steps before deciding on their course of action.

His comments follow recent revelations by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that several offers were made to his office in connection with the ongoing prosecution of Chairman Wontumi over alleged illegal mining activities.

Dr. Ayine, speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, said he rejected all such offers, insisting that any plea bargain would only be considered under the supervision of a competent court.

He maintained that no political or external influence has affected his prosecutorial decisions, adding that claims by the NPP suggesting he was “cutting deals” were entirely 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 facing prosecution over alleged illegal mining (galamsey) activities linked to Akonta Mining Limited. He is accused 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 operation in April 2025 uncovered excavators, cash, firearms, and other equipment allegedly used for illegal mining.

Wontumi has pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the High Court in Accra, with conditions including the surrender of his passport and placement on a stop list.