The Accra High Court has adjourned the GH¢30 million Ghana Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) case involving former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, to October 13, 2026. The case was adjourned after the prosecution filed an amended charge sheet.
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). However, the particulars of the charge now specify that the allegedly forged document was a pro-forma invoice of EPSONS GHANA LIMITED.
According to the charge sheet, Mr Antwi-Boasiako, in 2017, within the Greater Accra Region, used the forged pro-forma invoice, knowing it was not genuine, with the intent to defraud officials of Exim Bank and obtain GH¢4 million from the bank. The case involves a five-count charge sheet, including defrauding by false pretence, two counts of uttering a forged document, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
The Principal State Attorney, Joshua Sackey, told the court that the prosecution had filed a new charge sheet and served copies on counsel for the accused persons. He prayed the court to withdraw the charge sheet filed on May 15, 2026, and substitute it with the new one filed on September 22, 2026.
Defence Counsel holding brief for Samuel Atta Akyea for the first and third accused persons, Nana Nti Ofori-Debrah, told the court that he had just received a copy of the new charge sheet and was yet to peruse it and show it to the substantive counsel. He prayed the court to defer the substitution of the charge sheet and the taking of the pleas to the next adjourned date.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to October 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Mr Antwi-Boasiako is facing the case together with Thomas Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited over an alleged GH¢30 million loss to Exim Bank. The charge sheet alleges that Mr Antwi-Boasiako and Mr Thomas Antwi-Boasiako obtained about GH¢14.302 million from Exim Bank in 2018 by false pretences.
Because of the amendment to the charge, the court is expected to take the pleas of the accused persons afresh when the case resumes on October 13, 2026. The accused persons are expected to respond to the amended charge sheet, which specifies the company whose pro-forma invoice was allegedly forged.
Key points
- The Accra High Court has adjourned the GH¢30 million Exim Bank case to October 13, 2026.
- The prosecution filed an amended charge sheet specifying the company whose pro-forma invoice was allegedly forged.
- The case involves a five-count charge sheet, including defrauding by false pretence and money laundering.
