Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has appeared before the Accra High Court under tight prison security as proceedings continue in the criminal case involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank.
Wontumi, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence with hard labour following his conviction in a separate illegal mining case, was escorted to the court in a prison vehicle under the guard of armed prison officers.
The NPP stalwart and his co-accused are standing trial over an alleged GH¢14.3 million loan facility secured from EXIM Bank through Wontumi Farms Limited for an agricultural project.
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According to the prosecution, between 2018 and 2022, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako allegedly obtained the loan by making false representations to the bank.
Prosecutors further claim the accused submitted a forged receipt while seeking an additional GH¢4 million loan facility and benefited from funds allegedly acquired through fraudulent means.
The pair face several charges, including obtaining money by false pretenses and money laundering, with the prosecution alleging that the transactions resulted in financial losses exceeding GH¢30 million to EXIM Bank.
Wontumi’s latest court appearance comes shortly after he was convicted by the Accra High Court over illegal mining offenses linked to Akonta Mining Limited, for which he received a 20-year prison sentence with hard labour.
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Delivering the judgment, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay stated that the sentence was intended to serve as a strong deterrent against illegal mining and help protect Ghana’s environment from the devastating effects of galamsey.
Following the ruling, Wontumi’s legal team, led by former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament Samuel Atta Akyea, announced its decision to challenge the conviction at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the trial court made errors in law.
The defence has also indicated plans to file an application for bail pending appeal. However, legal analysts believe the judiciary’s ongoing annual legal vacation could delay the hearing of the application.