The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) following his detention at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The transfer comes amid heightened public and political interest in Wontumi’s case. The 2024 NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is reported to have spearheaded efforts to meet the bail conditions set by EOCO.
Several Members of Parliament and senior party officials have also shown up at the NIB, alongside a crowd of supporters. As of now, there is a heavy security presence at the NIB premises.
Chairman Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. He was subsequently picked up by EOCO after his release by the CID.
Although EOCO granted him GHS50 million bail on Wednesday, May 28, he has yet to meet the conditions, which require two justified sureties.
In protest of his detention, Minority MPs marched from Parliament to EOCO’s headquarters on Thursday, May 29, demanding his immediate release. Their demonstration caused significant traffic disruption and prompted a strong police response.
However, the protest was short-lived. The Minority MPs returned to Parliament on Friday, May 30, effectively ending their boycott.
On Thursday, May 29, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that Chairman Wontumi, is currently under investigation for a series of serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Justice Srem-Sai disclosed that the ongoing investigation is being handled by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with asset recovery efforts already underway to secure suspected proceeds of crime.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.
Adongo mocks Minority for ‘abandoning’ Wontumi after EOCO protest
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