Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—spent the night in custody at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters after failing to meet the bail conditions granted to him on Tuesday.
Though a GH¢50 million ($3.8 million) bail was approved with two justified sureties, his legal team was unable to fulfil the requirements before the deadline.
“This is part of an ongoing police enquiry. We are complying fully, and hopefully, the conditions will be met soon,” his lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, told journalists outside EOCO’s Ridge premises.
Wontumi, who has long denied any involvement in illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—was earlier questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and later transferred to EOCO for further interrogation over alleged unauthorised mining, pollution of water bodies, and operations in protected forest reserves.
EOCO is also probing potential financial loss to the state linked to these activities.
His detention sparked a late-night show of solidarity, with NPP supporters staging a protest outside EOCO.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia voiced concern over the arrest, praising Wontumi’s lawyers for their professionalism and cautioning authorities to uphold legal due process.
“Any deviation from these principles risks undermining public trust in our justice system and weakening the democratic values we have worked hard to build,” he warned.
