Wontumi Faces Fresh EXIM Bank Fraud Charges; Plea Adjourned to October 13
State prosecutors have filed a fresh charge sheet against former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, over an alleged GH¢30 million loan fraud involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.
The case was adjourned to October 13, 2026, after Wontumi’s lawyers requested more time, saying they were served with the new charge sheet only on the morning of Tuesday’s hearing.
Wontumi is expected to have his plea retaken when the case resumes.
He was initially charged with defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, causing financial loss to a public body and money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty when he was first arraigned but later entered into plea negotiations with the state. The negotiations, however, failed to produce an agreement.
The former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of illegal mining-related offences.
The latest charges were filed after plea negotiations between the prosecution and defence broke down.
Wontumi’s legal team, initially led by Andy Appiah-Kubi and later by Samuel Atta Akyea, began discussions with the state following his initial arraignment on May 18, 2026.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, said on July 27 that the negotiations were “far advanced,” but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.
The prosecution subsequently refiled the charges on September 22, 2026.
The new charge sheet includes defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
The charges relate to the alleged defrauding of Ghana EXIM Bank of more than GH¢14 million and an estimated GH¢30 million loss to the state
At Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors applied to withdraw the previous charge sheet to allow them to proceed with the new charges.
Wontumi’s lawyers opposed the immediate hearing of the new charges and requested an adjournment, citing the late service of the fresh charge sheet.
The presiding judge granted the request and adjourned the case to October 13, 2026.
Wontumi is expected to take his plea afresh when the case resume.
By Esther Padmore Amonoo
