Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to five charges in connection with the alleged fraudulent procurement of a GH¢30 million loan from the Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. for a case management conference. The prosecution has been given 14 days to file the relevant disclosures.
Wontumi, who is standing trial with two others, was arraigned on a new charge sheet filed on September 22, 2026, over the loan obtained in 2018.
The five counts comprise defrauding by false pretence, two counts of uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss of GH¢30 million to a public body.
According to the prosecution, Wontumi presented forged and altered documents to Exim Bank in January 2018 to secure funding for a proposed farming project.
The prosecution alleges that the accused persons did not carry out the proposed farming activities, purchase agricultural plant and machinery or employ workers for the farm.
It further alleges that they neither owned nor secured the parcel of land they had represented to the bank as available for the project.
The prosecution also contends that Wontumi withdrew substantial sums from the bank accounts of Wontumi Farms Limited, the third accused, and used the funds for personal purposes, including investments in other businesses.
Wontumi denied all the charges.
Following the proceedings, he was returned to Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence imposed by a differently constituted High Court in Accra.