Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, and Wontumi Farms have petitioned the High Court to prevent a loan dispute with Ghana Exim Bank from being pursued as a criminal case.
The plaintiffs have sued Ghana Exim Bank, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Attorney-General over criminal proceedings involving allegations of defrauding by false pretences, forgery, money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
In a statement of claim filed through their lawyer, Samuel Atta-Akyea, they argue that the dispute concerns the recovery of a loan exceeding GH¢18 million granted to support a farming project and should therefore be resolved through civil proceedings.
They accuse EOCO of exceeding its mandate by becoming involved in what they consider a contractual debt recovery matter.
According to the plaintiffs, a 10,000-acre parcel of land owned by Wontumi Farms was provided as collateral for the facility, while Chairman Wontumi personally guaranteed repayment in the event of default. They further claim that Ghana Exim Bank undertook to secure insurance coverage for the loan.
The plaintiffs say the farming project suffered significant losses after four rivers surrounding the property overflowed their banks, flooding the farmland.
They contend that the bank was informed about the damage and allegedly assured them that the insurance arrangement would be activated to address the outstanding debt.
Chairman Wontumi and the company deny obtaining the loan through deception or engaging in criminal conduct.
They are asking the court to declare the dispute a civil debt matter and compel Ghana Exim Bank to provide a detailed account of the outstanding amount.
They also want the bank to pursue recovery through the mortgaged property, the personal guarantee or the insurance policy they claim was arranged to cover the loan.
