A video has surfaced on social media of the Incarcerated Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi arriving at the Accra High Court under heavy security escort.
Reports suggest Wontumi was escosrted to the High Court for the proceedings in the the Tano Nimiri illegal mining case.
Wontumi arrived at the court in a prison bus and was escorted by prison officers after spending two nights in custody following his 20-year prison sentence.
He was dressed in a neatly tucked white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, was ushered into the courtroom through a rear entrance to avoid public attention.
Meanwhile, Dr Justice Srem Sai has said the Office of the Attorney-General has rejected a plea-bargaining proposal submitted by lawyers representing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in relation to the EXIM Bank case.
According to Dr Justice Srem Sai, discussions between the prosecution and the defence had commenced under the plea-bargaining process, adding that the proposal put forward by Chairman Wontumi’s legal team failed to meet the expectations of the state.
Speaking in an interview with 3news’ Kemini Amonar on July 21, Dr Srem stated, “They made a plea proposal of what they want to offer. In our opinion, we are not satisfied, and so we intend to reject it. In fact, we have in our minds rejected, just that we’ve not had a meeting with them to inform them of our rejection”.
“So we were supposed to meet yesterday, but of course what happened yesterday (sentencing to jail) couldn’t allow the meeting. We are still trying to get that meeting done before we go back to court next week”.
“They offered to pay some amount. It’s enough that we are still bargaining. Because the plea bargaining is not supposed to be out there. When we finish, we’ll announce the conclusion, but they made an offer. It’s enough for the public to know that they made an offer which we found inadequate and we’re going to meet them to inform them of our rejection”.
He noted that whatever amount will be agreed on will include interest.
“You ought to pay all the money with interest. I mean, otherwise, then what’s the point?”, He quizzed.
It will be recalled that Chairman Wontumi was slapped with fresh charges over a GH¢14.3M Exim Bank loan case.
He was slapped with fresh charges, including fraud by false pretence.
Wontumi, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako (at large) and Wontumi Farms Limited are facing four counts of charges per the charge sheet filed on Friday, May 15, 2026.
The charge sheet filed on Friday, May 15, 2026, signed by Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, detailed that “Chairman Wontumi is personally facing three of the four counts of the charge of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); uttering of a forged document, contrary to Section 169 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); and money laundering, contrary to Section 1(2)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)”.
“Together with Thomas Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited, they are facing the charge of intentionally causing financial loss to a public body, contrary to Section 179A(2) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)”, Starr FM stated.
Watch the video below:
Incarcerated Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Chairman Wontumi, has arrived at the Accra High Court under heavy security escort for proceedings in the EXIM Bank fraud case, where he is standing trial over allegations of fraud and causing financial loss… pic.twitter.com/0In7QKH9BW
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) July 22, 2026
@ghnow_ The Deputy Attorney General has arrived at the High Court for the trial of Chairman Wontumi in the Tano Forest reserve #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ We have filled for appeal and bail in the Chairman Wontumi Case – Lawyers for Wontumi #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
