Wontumi faces fresh charges in GH¢30m EXIM Bank case

Former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is facing fresh charges in the alleged GH¢30 million Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) case after prosecutors refiled the charges.

The prosecution filed the new charge sheet on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, following the collapse of plea-bargain negotiations between Wontumi’s legal team and the State.

The fresh charges include defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state. Prosecutors allege that more than GH¢14 million was obtained from EXIM Bank and that the transactions resulted in an estimated GH¢30 million loss to the state.

The case concerns a loan facility allegedly obtained for a farming project involving Wontumi Farms Limited and another accused person. The prosecution has also alleged that forged documents were used in connection with an additional GH¢4 million facility.

When the case came before the court on Tuesday, Wontumi’s lawyers requested more time after receiving the fresh charge sheet only that morning. The court granted the request and adjourned the case to October 13, 2026, when Wontumi is expected to take his plea afresh.

The development follows weeks of plea-bargain discussions between the defence and prosecution. Those negotiations ultimately failed to produce an agreement, prompting the State to withdraw the earlier charge sheet and file the new one.

Wontumi has previously pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The EXIM Bank case remains separate from his other legal proceedings.