The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has paid a courtesy call on Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former Minister of Food and Agriculture, to express his heartfelt gratitude.
The visit was to thank Dr. Acheampong, a businessman and politician, for his instrumental role—alongside Wontumi’s legal team in securing bail for him during his recent detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Chairman Wontumi was reportedly forcefully re-arrested by EOCO on the premises of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra, shortly after he had initially been granted bail by the police.
His arrest is linked to ongoing investigations into alleged illegal mining operations, including activities within restricted areas such as forest reserves.
Dr. Bryan Acheampong is said to have stood as a surety for Chairman Wontumi, whose legal team and close associates struggled for six days to meet the GH¢50 million bail condition imposed on him by EOCO.
As a show of appreciation, Chairman Wontumi visited Dr. Acheampong in the company of key allies, including his legal counsel Kwame Adom Appiah who also serves as the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP and Kwame Owusu, Chairman of the Adansi Asokwa Constituency.
The group expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Acheampong, who is also a prominent figure in the NPP’s presidential race, for the critical support he provided during their time of need.
Chairman Wontumi is under EOCO investigation for alleged fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, according to Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai. In a public statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Srem-Sai stated “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.”
He further disclosed that the investigation has two components: one focused on domestic criminal activities and another tied to an international organized crime network. EOCO, he added, is collaborating with international law enforcement partners to pursue the latter.
Investigations are ongoing.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
