Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has pleaded not guilty to amended charges in the criminal case involving Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank).
The amended charge sheet, dated September 19, 2026, retains the charge of uttering a forged document under Section 169 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), but identifies the allegedly forged document as a pro-forma invoice from EPSONS GHANA LIMITED.
According to the charge sheet, Mr Antwi-Boasiako allegedly used the document in 2017 in the Greater Accra Region, knowing it was not genuine, with the intent to defraud Exim Bank officials and obtain GH¢4 million from the bank.
Following the amendment, the court was expected to take fresh pleas from the accused persons.
When the case was called on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea has maintained that the dispute is essentially civil and concerns the repayment of a loan facility rather than a criminal matter.
Mr Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms have filed a suit at the High Court seeking a declaration that the dispute over the loan repayment is civil in nature and should not be prosecuted as a criminal case.
The suit names Exim Bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney-General as defendants.
The legal action follows criminal proceedings involving allegations including defrauding by false pretences, uttering a forged document, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to the state.
The plaintiffs say the loan facility, valued at more than GH¢18 million, was obtained to finance a farming project.
They contend that a 10,000-acre parcel of land belonging to Wontumi Farms was provided as mortgage security, while Mr Antwi-Boasiako personally guaranteed repayment in the event of default. They also claim Exim Bank undertook to secure insurance for the facility.
According to the plaintiffs, the farming project suffered significant losses, including damage caused by flooding from four rivers surrounding the property.
They allege that the bank was informed of the difficulties and promised to take steps to activate an insurance package to settle the outstanding loan.
The plaintiffs further accuse EOCO of exceeding its mandate by acting as a debt collector instead of treating the matter as a civil loan dispute.
Mr Atta Akyea maintains that the disagreement should be resolved through civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecution.
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