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2 clusters · 14 sources · 5 days · First seen · Last updated

Legal proceedings against Bernard Antwi Boasiako

Overview

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, is facing multiple legal challenges in Ghana involving both mining and financial fraud allegations.

An Accra High Court sentenced Boasiako and his firm, Akonta Mining Limited, to 20 years in prison for illegal mining activities under the Minerals and Mining Act. In response to this conviction, his legal team has sought bail pending an appeal.

Simultaneously, Boasiako has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges related to an alleged GH¢30 million financial loss to the Ghana Export-Import (Exim) Bank. Prosecutors claim that Boasiako and Wontumi Farms Limited used forged documents and misrepresented land ownership to secure a 2018 loan for an agricultural project, subsequently diverting the funds for personal use.

The defense maintains that the Exim Bank matter is a civil debt dispute rather than a criminal case, arguing that the project failed due to flooding and substantial losses. Boasiako has filed a suit to halt criminal proceedings regarding the loan, contending that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) exceeded its mandate by pursuing charges such as money laundering and defrauding by false pretences.

Entities

Bernard Antwi Boasiako · Ghana Export-Import Bank · Akonta Mining Limited · New Patriotic Party · Economic and Organised Crime Office

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 10 sources
    Chairman Wontumi pleads not guilty to GH¢30m Exim Bank fraud charges

    Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, pleaded not guilty to five charges involving an alleged GH¢30m fraud against Ghana's Exim Bank while seeking bail for a separate 20-year mining conviction.

  2. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Bernard Antwi Boasiako sentenced to 20 years in prison

    Former NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for mining offenses, while simultaneously challenging a separate criminal loan dispute.

Sources

ashantireport.com · chale.news · dailyguidenetwork.com · ghanaguardian.com · ghanamma.com · ghananewss.com · myjoyonline.com · mynewsgh.com · myrepubliconline.com · otecfmghana.com · oyerepafmonline.com · rainbowradioonline.com · theghanareport.com · thepressradio.com