The Accra High Court has directed the prosecution to file disclosures within 14 days to pave the way for the trial of Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in the alleged GH¢30 million Exim Bank financial loss case.
The order followed the State’s announcement that efforts to reach a plea agreement with Wontumi had failed. Presiding Judge Justice Halima El‑Alawa Abdul Baasit ruled that the matter must proceed to trial, noting that the statutory 30‑day window for plea negotiations had expired after two adjournments granted for talks. The case has been adjourned to September 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. for a Case Management Conference. Wontumi is currently serving a 20‑year sentence for offences related to illegal mining.
When the case was called today, August 27, State Attorneys representing the Attorney-General informed the court that the prosecution and the accused had not reached a plea agreement. This development ended the recent window granted by the court for both parties to negotiate a potential resolution without a full trial. The court then stated that, having already allowed two adjournments for negotiations and with the statutory 30-day period having expired, it would proceed with the trial.
Mr. Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for Mr. Boasiako, concurred with the court’s position but noted that a plea agreement could still be reached before the judgment. The judge agreed with the counsel, indicating that the possibility of a plea agreement remained open even as the trial continued.
Following the court’s decision, the prosecution was directed to file its disclosures within 14 days. The parties subsequently agreed on September 22 for the Case Management Conference, at which the court is expected to give further directions on the trial. On July 27, Mr Atta Akyea formally took over as lead counsel for Mr Boasiako from Mr Andy Appiah-Kubi and informed the court that he had engaged the Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, on the possibility of reaching an agreement.
The prosecution had then told the court that the negotiations were at an advanced stage and requested a further 30-day period to conclude them. The court consequently adjourned the case to August 27. At the July 27 sitting, Dr Srem-Sai said the negotiations had made progress before they were interrupted by Mr Boasiako’s conviction in a separate case. He also indicated that the prosecution had not filed its disclosures because it did not want the process to prejudice the ongoing negotiations.
The court had earlier granted the parties additional time on July 6 after they informed it that negotiations were still ongoing. Mr Boasiako and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, a director of Wontumi Farms Limited, are facing charges arising from an alleged transaction involving Exim Bank.
Bernard Antwi‑Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to charges including defrauding by false pretence, uttering a forged document, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
According to the prosecution, in 2018 Wontumi, acting as Managing Director of Wontumi Farms Limited, applied for a GH¢19 million facility from Exim Bank to finance a farming project. The Bank approved a mixed loan and grant package of GH¢18.7 million, of which GH¢14.302 million was disbursed. Prosecutors allege the project was never undertaken and that a receipt presented for agricultural machinery worth GH¢4 million was in fact an altered pro‑forma invoice.
The State further contends that significant portions of the funds were withdrawn and diverted for personal use and investments in other businesses, resulting in a financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million. Wontumi has denied the allegations. Unless a plea agreement is reached before the trial concludes, the prosecution will proceed with its case against him.
