Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to five charges in connection with the alleged fraudulent procurement of a GH¢30 million loan from the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
Wontumi, who is standing trial with two others, was arraigned on a new charge sheet filed on September 22, 2026, over the loan obtained in 2018.
The five counts are defrauding by false pretence, two counts of uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss of GH¢30 million to a public body.
According to the prosecution, Wontumi presented forged and altered documents to Exim Bank in January 2018 to secure funding for a proposed farming project.
The prosecution told the court that the accused persons did not carry out the proposed farming activities, purchase agricultural plant and machinery or employ workers for the farm.
The state further alleges that they neither owned nor secured the parcel of land they had represented to the bank as available for the project.
It also contends that Wontumi withdrew substantial sums from the bank accounts of Wontumi Farms Limited, the third accused, and used the funds for personal purposes, including investments in other businesses.
Wontumi, however, denied all the charges.
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. for a case management conference, with the prosecution given 14 days to file the relevant disclosures.
Following the proceedings, he was returned to the Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence imposed by a differently constituted High Court in Accra.
Wontumi seeks plea bargain over alleged Exim Bank loan fraud case
