The Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over the continued detention of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, and the bail conditions set for his release from custody.
Expressing strong displeasure with the state institution, Afenyo-Markin described EOCO’s actions against the politician, also known as Chairman Wontumi, as biased, suggesting that the arrest may have been driven by retaliation or vengeance.
He condemned the events, stating that such actions must not be condoned.
“It is clear that with what is happening, the EOCO is being capricious, biased and we must not entertain it,” he said while addressing the floor of Parliament on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was arrested and detained by EOCO after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, he had reported to the CID, where he was formally charged with engaging in illegal mining activities.
According to a police statement signed by Superintendent Joseph Benefo Darkwah, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the CID, the NPP regional chairman was cautioned over alleged involvement in unauthorised mining operations, pollution of water bodies, and entering a forest reserve without permission.
The police confirmed that Chairman Wontumi cooperated fully with investigators, provided his statement, and was subsequently granted bail with two sureties.
His detention by EOCO comes in the wake of a failed attempt by security operatives to arrest him on Friday, May 23, 2025.
MAG/MA
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