NPP’s Chairman Wontumi Seeks Plea Deal in GH¢30m EXIM Bank Fraud Case Amid Legal Team Resignation

11th June•3 min read•32 sources

Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is currently navigating a complex legal landscape as he faces multiple criminal trials. On June 11, 2026, the Accra High Court was formally notified that Wontumi is seeking a plea bargain in a high-profile fraud case involving the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. This development coincides with a significant rupture in his legal team, as his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, announced his withdrawal from a separate trial involving illegal mining activities just weeks before a final judgment is expected in that matter.

In the EXIM Bank case, the prosecution alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Wontumi and an accomplice used Wontumi Farms Limited to fraudulently obtain GH¢14.3 million through the presentation of forged documents and false pretenses. The state contends that these actions resulted in a total financial loss exceeding GH¢30 million to the institution. Wontumi’s lawyer and his campaign team have been quick to clarify that the pursuit of a plea bargain is a lawful negotiation strategy permitted under Ghanaian law and does not constitute an admission of guilt. They argue the funds were intended for a large-scale agricultural project aimed at national food security, which encountered unforeseen commercial challenges and market fluctuations that hindered financial obligations.

Simultaneously, Wontumi faces intense scrutiny in the "Samreboi" case, where he is accused of facilitating unlicensed mining operations by Akonta Mining Limited within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve. The trial concluded recently, with a judgment date set for July 3, 2026. However, the defense was thrown into disarray when lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi filed to withdraw, citing "unseen influences" and dissatisfaction with the court's management of the proceedings. This marks the second time in a year that Appiah-Kubi has stepped away from Wontumi’s defense, raising concerns about the stability of the politician's legal representation as he faces charges that carry a maximum potential prison sentence of 25 years.

The legal maneuvers have sparked a national debate among legal experts and anti-corruption advocates regarding the transparency of the judicial process. Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has voiced support for the plea bargain, arguing that the recovery of public funds should be the state's priority in financial cases to serve pressing developmental needs. Conversely, anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem warned that normalizing plea deals for high-profile political figures could undermine the fight against graft by suggesting that public officials can evade serious repercussions for financial misconduct. As the EXIM Bank case moves toward a management conference on June 18 and the mining judgment looms in July, the outcomes of these proceedings will likely have profound implications for Wontumi’s political future and the NPP’s internal leadership dynamics.

This story touches markets covered on Anansi Intelligence ↗.

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NPP’s Chairman Wontumi Seeks Plea Deal in GH¢30m EXIM Bank Fraud Case Amid Legal Team Resignation

More from politics

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