Wontumi pleads not guilty to new ‘fraud’ charges
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, appeared before the Accra High Court on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to five charges in the GH¢30 million alleged fraud case involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
The court, presided over by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit approved an amended charge sheet filed on September 22, 2026, to replace the one filed on May 15, 2026.
The Charges:
- Defrauding by false pretence
- Two counts of uttering forged documents
- Money laundering
- Intentionally causing financial loss to a public body
He is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited.
Allegations:
The prosecution, led by Principal State Attorney Joshua Sackey, alleges that in January 2018, Wontumi presented forged and altered documents to Exim Bank to secure a loan for a proposed farming project.
- A pro-forma invoice allegedly used to obtain GH¢4 million was said to be issued by EPSONS GHANA LIMITED
- The accused allegedly failed to establish the farm, buy agricultural machinery or employ workers as promised
- They allegedly did not own or secure the land presented to the bank as available for the project
- Wontumi is also accused of withdrawing substantial sums from Wontumi Farms Limited accounts for personal use and other business investments
Total alleged loss to Exim Bank is more than GH¢30 million.
Defence:
Counsel Samuel Atta Akyea argued that the matter is a civil loan-repayment dispute, not a criminal matter, and reminded the court that EOCO had previously granted his client bail.
Next Action:
Case adjourned to October 27, 2026 at 11 a.m. for Case Management Conference. Prosecution given 14 days to file disclosures.
After the proceedings, the court returned Wontumi to Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he is serving a separate 20-year sentence.
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