Ken Kuranchie, a Private legal practitioner who claims to be a longtime friend of former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, has provided an update on his condition at the Nsawam Prison.
The private legal practitioner revealed that Wontumi looks absolutely well, strong, and clean.
According to Ken Kuranchie, he is pleased that Wontumi looks well despite being in custody.
Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, Wontumi appeared cheerful as he exchanged pleasantries with his counsel and supporters who had gathered at the court to show solidarity.
Speaking to Citi News after the proceedings, Ken Kuranchie expressed excitement about Wontumi’s condition, saying, “He looks well, strong and clean. When you are in prison, that is the best thing you can hope for. He looks absolutely well. I am glad I saw him”.
His comments follow a conversation lasting more than 30 minutes with Wontumi before the EXIM Bank case was called in court.
Meanwhile, in court, Chairman Wontumi has pleaded not guilty to five charges in connection with the alleged fraudulent procurement of a GH¢30 million loan from the Ghana Exim Bank.
Following Wontumi’s not guilty plea, the case has been adjourned to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. for a case management conference, with the prosecution given 14 days to file the relevant disclosures.
Wontumi, together with two others, was arraigned on a new charge sheet filed on September 22, 2026, over the loan obtained in 2018.
The five counts include defrauding by false pretence, two counts of uttering forged documents, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss of GH¢30 million to a public body.
Wontumi denied all the charges and has since been returned to Nsawam Maximum Security Prison, where he is serving a 20-year sentence.
Earlier, the Accra High Court had ordered the prosecution to file disclosures within 14 days after plea bargain negotiations in Chairman Wontumi’s alleged GH¢30 million EXIM Bank fraud case ended without an agreement.
Reports disclosed that the negotiations ended after the State rejected a proposal put forward by Wontumi’s legal team.
Following the failure to reach an agreement, the Accra High Court ordered the prosecution to file its disclosures within 14 days.
The disclosure process requires the prosecution to provide the defence with the evidence and documents it intends to rely on at trial.
Wontumi’s alleged GH¢30 million EXIM Bank fraud case will now move forward, with the prosecution expected to file its disclosures within 14 days.
Earlier, Dr Justice Srem Sai, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, revealed that the Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, EXIM Bank trial will continue despite ongoing settlement negotiations.
According to the Deputy AG, negotiations have not been abandoned, but the government has decided not to suspend the trial.
Speaking in an interview on Morning Starr, Dr Srem Sai stated, “We, as prosecutors, have decided to proceed with the trial while we continue negotiations on the side”.
He disclosed that the decision was communicated to Wontumi’s lawyers after two meetings between the parties, adding that ongoing negotiations had not produced an agreement acceptable to the state.
The Deputy Attorney General also revealed that a GH¢12 million settlement proposal falls significantly below what the bank expects to recover.
According to Srem Sai, accepting an amount substantially below the alleged losses would not be prudent, particularly after assessing the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case.
He disclosed that the government does not believe it would be appropriate to accept less than half of the losses allegedly caused simply to allow the accused to walk free.
“The 12 million you mentioned, if indeed he said that, then 12 million is far below what even the bank expects to get,” he said.
“They know what to do if they want that situation to change. We have told them what to do if they want that situation to change,” he said.
@ghnow_ Friends and colleagues of Kumawood actress Vivian Jill Lawrence gather to support her as she mourns the loss of her elder sister, Auntie Mabel. 🕊️💔 #GHNow #VivianJill #AuntieMabel #fyp ♬ original sound – Wasako Lyrics
@ghnow_ Friends and colleagues of Kumawood actress Vivian Jill Lawrence gather to support her as she mourns the loss of her elder sister, Auntie Mabel. 🕊️💔 #GHNow #VivianJill #AuntieMabel #fyp ♬ original sound – Wasako Lyrics
