The legal troubles confronting New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have taken another dramatic turn following the withdrawal of Andy Appiah-Kubi from his defence team in the ongoing EXIM Bank case.
The development emerged when the case was called before the Accra High Court on Monday, July 27, 2026. Appiah-Kubi, who had been representing Wontumi and Wontumi Farms Limited, officially ended his legal services, paving the way for former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament Samuel Atta Akyea to take charge of the defence.
Addressing the court, Atta Akyea confirmed that he had assumed responsibility as the new lead lawyer for Wontumi and his company. No public explanation was immediately provided for Appiah-Kubi’s decision to step aside from the high-profile case.
The change in legal representation adds another layer of uncertainty to a case already attracting considerable political and public attention.
Wontumi and Wontumi Farms Limited are facing prosecution over an alleged GH¢30 million financial transaction involving the state-owned Ghana Export-Import Bank. The NPP regional chairman has pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him.
His latest court appearance came shortly after reports that the Attorney-General’s Office had rejected a plea-bargain proposal connected to the EXIM Bank matter. The prosecution is therefore expected to continue as the court examines the allegations and evidence presented by the parties.
The EXIM Bank proceedings are separate from the illegal-mining case involving the Samreboi concession, in which Wontumi was recently convicted and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. His lawyers have filed an appeal challenging both the conviction and the sentence.
Appiah-Kubi had also previously attempted to withdraw from Wontumi’s legal team in the Samreboi case, citing concerns about how the proceedings were being conducted.
With Atta Akyea now steering the defence, attention will turn to the legal strategy he adopts as Wontumi confronts another major courtroom battle with serious financial and political implications.
