Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), spent the night of Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in detention at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra after his legal team was unable to secure the required bail conditions before the close of business.
Wontumi, a prominent and controversial figure within the NPP, had been granted bail in the sum of GH₵50 million with two sureties, both of whom were required to justify their standing, a condition that proved insurmountable for his lawyers as the day drew to a close.
His lead counsel, Andy Appiah Kubi, confirmed to the press that the bail conditions had not been met, necessitating his client’s continued detention overnight.
“This is an ongoing police enquiry. We are cooperating fully, and we are hopeful that the conditions will soon be met,” Mr. Appiah Kubi told journalists outside the EOCO premises.
The arrest of Chairman Wontumi followed his voluntary appearance at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, where he had been invited for questioning regarding allegations of illegal mining commonly referred to as “galamsey.”
After providing his statement, EOCO officials took him into custody for further interrogation, this time focusing on allegations of causing financial loss to the state, signaling an expansion of the probe into illicit mining and possible corruption.
Wontumi had previously been cautioned by police for allegedly operating mining activities without a license, polluting water bodies, and encroaching on forest reserves, charges he continues to deny.
The news of his arrest and continued detention triggered a strong reaction among NPP loyalists. A large crowd of party supporters and executives gathered outside the EOCO offices late into the night, demanding his release and accusing authorities of political intimidation. Some supporters clashed with police and military personnel, burning tires and chanting protest slogans.
With the GH₵50 million bail still unmet and investigations intensifying, all eyes are now on EOCO and the Ghana Police Service for the next steps in what is rapidly becoming a defining legal and political saga for the opposition party and the nation at large.
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called on state institutions to respect Wontumi’s constitutional rights and ensure due process is followed, warning that any failure to do so could erode public trust in Ghana’s justice system.
Wontumi’s health has also become a concern. During the interrogation, he reportedly fell ill and was hospitalized, leading to a temporary suspension of questioning.
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
