Court grants Wontumi, A-G July 6 to report on plea negotiations in ¢30m EXIM Bank fraud case

Court adjourns proceedings for plea negotiations
An Accra High Court has granted lawyers for Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, and the Attorney-General’s Office until July 6, 2026, to provide an update on ongoing plea bargain discussions in a high-profile fraud case involving more than GH¢30 million in alleged losses to the state.
The adjournment follows confirmation by the prosecution that the accused has formally initiated processes to negotiate a plea agreement under Ghana’s criminal procedure laws.

Alleged fraud linked to EXIM Bank facility
According to prosecution documents, Wontumi is the sole shareholder and one of two directors of Wontumi Farms Limited, a company incorporated on December 14, 2017, to engage in farming, agricultural business, and agro-processing activities. Prosecutors said the company applied to the Ghana Export-Import Bank in January 2018 for a GH¢19 million financial facility intended to support a large-scale farming project. The prosecution alleges that the company submitted documents claiming it had secured a 100,000-acre parcel of land for the proposed agricultural venture. Investigators, however, contend that several supporting documents, including a board resolution and project proposal, were dated before the company was officially incorporated.

Investigators allege false pretences and forgery
The state further alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako fraudulently obtained GH¢14.3 million from EXIM Bank under false pretences through Wontumi Farms Limited.
In addition, prosecutors claim that Wontumi presented a forged receipt to bank officials in an attempt to secure an additional GH¢4 million facility.
Investigators also allege that significant portions of the funds were diverted for personal use and unrelated business investments rather than the agricultural project for which the financing had been approved. Efforts by the bank to recover the money reportedly proved unsuccessful, with the total alleged financial loss across all charges exceeding GH¢30 million.

EOCO investigation and charges
The matter came under investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in March 2025. Following investigations, Chairman Wontumi was arrested, cautioned, and formally charged on May 14, 2026. He subsequently appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty to all four charges when his plea was taken on May 18, 2026. The charges against him include defrauding by false pretences, uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.

Defence seeks plea bargain
During proceedings, the Attorney-General’s Office informed the court that Wontumi had initiated a plea bargaining process as provided under Section 162C(3) of Act 30. The request was submitted through his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, in a letter dated June 5, 2026, and was disclosed in a filing presented to the court on June 11, 2026.
Under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), an accused person may plead guilty to lesser offences in exchange for a reduced sentence. Any agreement reached must receive court approval after the Attorney-General evaluates factors such as the strength of the evidence, prospects for recovering state funds, and broader public interest considerations.

Co-accused remains at large
Chairman Wontumi is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited. While proceedings continue against the company and Wontumi, prosecutors told the court that Thomas Antwi-Boasiako remains at large and is currently being sought by investigators.

July 6 hearing expected to determine next steps
The case has been adjourned to July 6, 2026, when both the prosecution and defence are expected to brief the court on the status of the plea bargain discussions. The update will determine whether a plea agreement has been reached or whether the case will proceed to full trial before the Accra High Court.