The legal battle surrounding New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has taken a dramatic turn following a major change in his defence team.
Private legal practitioner and former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament Samuel Atta Akyea has officially replaced Andy Appiah-Kubi as Wontumi’s lead lawyer in the ongoing GH¢30 million EXIM Bank case.
The change was announced when Wontumi appeared before the Accra High Court on Monday, July 27, 2026. Addressing the court, Atta Akyea confirmed that Appiah-Kubi had withdrawn his legal services and that he had assumed responsibility for representing Wontumi and Wontumi Farms Limited. No official reason was immediately provided for Appiah-Kubi’s withdrawal.
The sudden legal shake-up comes at a crucial stage of the case, as Wontumi’s defence team continues plea-bargain discussions with the Office of the Attorney-General.
During the proceedings, Atta Akyea requested additional time to conclude negotiations with prosecutors. The court subsequently extended the discussions to August 27, 2026, while stressing that the case would proceed to trial should the parties fail to reach an agreement.
Wontumi and his co-accused, Thomas Antwi-Boasiako, are facing four charges, including defrauding by false pretence, forgery, money laundering and intentionally causing financial loss to a public institution.
Prosecutors allege that the accused persons secured GH¢14.3 million from the Ghana Export-Import Bank through Wontumi Farms Limited for an agricultural project that was never executed. Wontumi is also accused of presenting a forged receipt while seeking an additional GH¢4 million credit facility. Both men have pleaded not guilty.
Atta Akyea’s arrival is expected to bring a new legal strategy to the high-profile case. His immediate challenge will be to navigate the ongoing negotiations while preparing the defence for a possible full trial.
With millions of Ghana cedis at the centre of the allegations and Wontumi’s political future hanging in the balance, all eyes will now be on Atta Akyea as he takes control of one of Ghana’s most closely watched courtroom battles.
