Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has formally expressed interest in entering into a plea bargain arrangement in the criminal case brought against him over an alleged fraudulent loan transaction involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
The Office of the Attorney-General has officially informed the Accra High Court of the development, indicating that the request was submitted through Wontumi’s legal counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi.
According to a notice filed before the court on June 11, 2026, the request was made in accordance with Section 162C(3) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30). The Attorney-General’s Department stated that it received a letter dated June 5, 2026, in which the first accused person signalled his intention to pursue plea negotiations.
The case involves Chairman Wontumi, Wontumi Farms Limited, and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who remains at large, according to prosecutors.
The notice to the court was signed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai on behalf of the Attorney-General and submitted to the court registry for the attention of the presiding judge.
Chairman Wontumi is facing several charges, including defrauding by false pretences, causing financial loss to a public institution, money laundering, and the alleged use of forged documents.
Prosecutors contend that in 2018, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako secured a loan facility of GH¢14.302 million from EXIM Bank under false pretences through Wontumi Farms Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that a forged receipt was subsequently presented to the bank to facilitate the acquisition of an additional GH¢4 million. Investigators claim the document was knowingly used as evidence of payment despite its alleged lack of authenticity.
On the money laundering count, the state alleges that Chairman Wontumi received and controlled part of the funds obtained by the company between 2018 and 2022 while being aware that the money had allegedly been acquired through unlawful means.
The Attorney-General’s Department also accuses the three accused persons of causing financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank through the transaction at the centre of the case.
The matter is expected to return to court as the plea negotiation process unfolds and the court considers the notification filed by the prosecution.
