Top officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathered at the Accra High Court on Monday in a show of solidarity with the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as proceedings commenced in the alleged GH¢30 million Ghana EXIM Bank fraud case.
The court premises witnessed the arrival of several prominent NPP figures, including national and regional executives, Members of Parliament, and party supporters, who turned up to back the embattled politician during the hearing.
Noticeably absent, however, was Wontumi’s lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, whose absence drew attention among party supporters and legal observers. No official reason had been provided for his absence at the time of the hearing.
Chairman Wontumi is facing charges in connection with the alleged fraudulent acquisition of GH¢30 million from the Ghana Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The case has attracted widespread public and political interest, with the NPP maintaining that its chairman is entitled to a fair trial and due process.
Despite the absence of his lead lawyer, Wontumi’s legal team was expected to proceed with representation as the court took up the matter.
Security around the High Court was heightened as police officers were deployed to maintain order amid the large gathering of party faithful and supporters outside the courtroom.
The proceedings form part of an ongoing legal battle that has become one of the country’s most closely watched cases, given Wontumi’s prominence within the opposition party and the substantial amount involved.
The court is expected to hear preliminary arguments and determine the next steps in the prosecution as the case continues.
 gathered at the Accra High Court on Monday in a show of solidarity with the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi){kind=link}