The convicted former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, has pleaded not guilty to five charges in the GH¢30 million alleged fraud case involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
He pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretence, two counts of forged document, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body when he appeared before the Accra High Court on October 13, 2026.
The pleas were taken after the court presided over by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit approved the substitution of the charge sheet filed on May 15, 2026, with an amended charge sheet filed on September 22, 2026.
The prosecution, led by a Principal State Attorney, Joshua Sackey, told the court that Mr Antwi-Boasiako is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, who is at large, and Wontumi Farms Limited over an alleged financial loss of more than GH¢30 million to Exim Bank.
He prayed for the earlier charge sheet to be withdrawn and substituted.
Counsel for the accused persons, Samuel Atta Akyea, did not oppose the application.
The amendment specifies that the pro-forma invoice allegedly used to obtain GH¢4 million from Exim Bank was issued by EPSONS GHANA LIMITED.
The prosecution alleges that the document was used with the intention of defrauding officials of the bank.
Bail
Following the pleas, Mr Atta Akyea prayed the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that the dispute was civil in nature.
Counsel also drew the court's attention to the fact that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) had previously granted his client bail.
The court adjourned the case to October 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. for the commencement of the Case Management Conference.
Background
Mr Antwi-Boasiako is standing trial alongside Thomas Antwi-Boasiako [at large] and Wontumi Farms Limited over an alleged financial loss of more than GH¢30 million to Exim Bank.
The prosecution alleges that Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako obtained GH¢14.302 million from the bank in 2018 through false pretences.
The case also concerns an allegedly forged document presented to the bank in connection with the purchase of agricultural machinery and allegations of money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
