Private legal practitioner Samuel Atta Akyea has assumed legal representation for Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, in the ongoing GH¢30 million EXIM Bank fraud case before the Accra High Court. The change in counsel was announced on Monday, July 27, when Wontumi appeared in court accompanied by several senior members of the NPP who attended proceedings in solidarity with the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman.
Addressing the court, Atta Akyea disclosed that the previous lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, had withdrawn from the case, paving the way for him to take over the defence. He informed the court that his mandate covers both Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited, the company jointly standing trial with him over the alleged financial transaction involving the Export-Import Bank of Ghana (EXIM Bank).
Monday’s hearing comes barely a week after Wontumi was handed a 20-year prison sentence in a separate case relating to illegal mining activities at the Samreboi concession. Despite that conviction, he returned to court to continue defending himself in the EXIM Bank matter, which remains before the High Court as prosecutors pursue charges against him and his company.
The latest development also follows the Attorney-General’s earlier decision to reject a plea bargain proposal submitted by Wontumi in relation to the EXIM Bank prosecution. With new legal representation now in place and prominent NPP officials closely monitoring proceedings from the courtroom, the case is expected to continue under renewed defence strategy.
