The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem Sai, says the trial involving Bernard Antwi Boasiako well known as Chairman Wontumi will continue despite ongoing settlement negotiations with his lawyers.
Speaking exclusively with Austin Woode on Morning Starr, Dr Srem Sai said the negotiations have not been abandoned, but the government has decided not to suspend the trial while the discussions continue.
He explained that although prosecutors would normally pause proceedings to allow settlement negotiations to be concluded, the circumstances of the case have led them to pursue both processes simultaneously.
“We, as prosecutors, have decided to proceed with the trial while we continue negotiations on the side,” Dr Srem Sai said.
According to him, the decision was communicated to Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s lawyers after two meetings between the parties.
He said the second meeting was used to inform the lawyers that the trial would continue because the negotiations had not produced an agreement acceptable to the state.
Dr Srem Sai also addressed a reported GH¢12 million settlement proposal, saying the amount falls significantly below what the bank expects to recover.
“The 12 million you mentioned, if indeed he said that, then 12 million is far below what even the bank expects to get,” he said.
He argued that accepting an amount substantially below the alleged losses would not be prudent, particularly after assessing the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case.
Dr Srem Sai said the government does not believe it would be appropriate to accept less than half of the losses allegedly caused simply to allow the accused to walk free.
He confirmed that Chairman Wontumi’s lawyers were unhappy with the decision to continue with the trial but said they had been told what would be required for the situation to change.
“They know what to do if they want that situation to change. We have told them what to do if they want that situation to change,” he said.
The Deputy Attorney General stressed that the government remains open to negotiations but will continue with the trial if the parties fail to reach an agreement.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
