Omanghana
No plea agreement has been finalized in the GH¢30 million Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank criminal case involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dr. Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that discussions between the defense team and prosecutors are still ongoing, but the statutory 30-day period allowed for plea bargain negotiations is set to expire next week.
Plea Bargain Talks Near Deadline
The Accra High Court earlier adjourned proceedings to July 27, 2026, to allow both sides additional time to explore the possibility of reaching an agreement.
The defense formally requested a plea bargain on June 5, 2026, triggering the legally prescribed negotiation period.
When the court resumes, both the state and the accused are expected to provide an update on whether an agreement has been reached or whether negotiations have failed.
State’s Allegations Against Chairman Wontumi
The prosecution has argued that the matter goes beyond a simple loan repayment dispute and amounts to a criminal operation involving alleged fraud and misuse of public funds.
The case relates to a loan facility obtained in 2018 by Wontumi Farms Limited, where Chairman Wontumi served as Managing Director.
According to prosecutors, the company applied for funding from EXIM Bank to establish a large-scale agricultural project covering approximately 100,000 acres of farmland.
EXIM Bank reportedly released GH¢14.3 million to support the project.
Alleged Fake Agricultural Project
State investigators claim that the farming project existed only on paper and that key elements required for the operation were never established.
The prosecution alleges that:
- No farmland was secured for the proposed project
- No agricultural equipment was purchased
- No employees were hired to operate the farm
Investigators further claim that documents presented to support the loan application included false information.
Alleged Forged Documents and Misuse of Funds
Prosecutors have accused Chairman Wontumi of submitting a fraudulent GH¢4 million receipt allegedly used as proof that heavy farming machinery had been purchased.
The state also alleges that funds from the EXIM Bank facility were diverted into personal accounts and used to support unrelated business activities rather than the intended agricultural investment.
Criminal Charges Before the Court
Chairman Wontumi and his co-accused have pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges.
The charges include:
- Defrauding by false pretences
- Uttering a forged document
- Money laundering
- Intentionally causing financial loss to a public body
The state estimates the total financial impact of the alleged offenses at more than GH¢30 million, including accumulated interest.
Trial Continues as Parties Seek Resolution
As the plea bargain deadline approaches, attention remains focused on whether prosecutors and the defense can reach a settlement or whether the case will proceed through a full criminal trial.
The July 27 court appearance is expected to provide clarity on the next steps in one of Ghana’s most closely watched financial crime cases involving a senior political figure.
Source: Omanghana
