Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi with Dr. Bawumia
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi, has expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the party for their love and support during his brief detention by the Economic and Organised Office (EOCO).
Chairman Wontumi paid a surprise visit to the head office of the party yesterday, where he was greeted by jubilant supporters who had gathered there in anticipation of his visit.
Dressed in an all-white kaftan, he looked lively compared to his frail appearance moments after he left the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), where he had been transferred following heightened tension at the EOCO.
In a light-hearted gesture, Chairman Wontumi hoisted one leg and shook it in the air briefly to prove he was doing well, attracting cheers from the supporters present.
The NPP official, in a brief comment, expressed his appreciation to the General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frimpong, for his leadership throughout his detention.
He indicated that he had gone there to show his appreciation, and assured them that everything would be fine.
Chairman Wontumi also visited former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia at his private office in Accra, to thank him for his role in his release.
Arrest
Chairman Wontumi was arrested by EOCO on May 27, 2025, moments after he exited the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the police headquarters in Accra, where he is facing interrogations for allegedly entering and mining in a forest reserve without authorisation.
His arrest and detention generated both public and political interest as well as uproar among sections of the public, with the Minority Members of Parliament and leadership of the NPP staging a protest at EOCO, by sitting on the bare floor on the road opposite the anti-graft body.
Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has clarified that the suspect is under investigation for various criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
He indicated on his social media handle that the “criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery processes – to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime.”
Dr. Srem-Sai further indicated that Chairman Wontumi is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a lager international organised crime scheme, adding that EOCO “is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand of criminal investigations.”
In the heat of a streak of protests staged by the NPP members and their leadership for his release, EOCO transferred him to the National Intelligence Bureau, amid heightened tension.
On May 30, 2025, former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the NPP in the 2024 election, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the leadership of the party were granted access to the NIB facility where Chairman Wontumi was being held.
He eventually met the terms of the GH¢50 million bail bond set by EOCO, and was released on Monday night.
Before his release, Wontumi’s legal team had withdrawn a motion seeking a review of the GH¢50 million bail condition. The motion, which was filed at the High Court in Accra on May 30, 2025, was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, June 3.
However, private legal practitioner Gary Nimako, acting on behalf of the NPP Chairman, formally filed the application to discontinue the motion for bail variation on Monday.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak