The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) after being detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
This development follows his arrest by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Tuesday, May 27, and his subsequent handover to EOCO.
Though granted bail of GHS50 million on Wednesday, May 28, Wontumi has yet to satisfy the conditions, which include providing two justified sureties.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Afenyo Markin together with several of the members in parliament has been spotted at the scene.
The 2024 NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was reported to have arrived at the NIB premises to assist in meeting the bail requirements, as several MPs and party leaders, accompanied by a crowd of supporters, gathered under tight security.
The case has drawn intense political scrutiny. On Thursday, May 29, Minority MPs marched from Parliament to EOCO’s headquarters in protest, calling for Wontumi’s immediate release.
Though the demonstration caused temporary disruption, the MPs returned to Parliament the following day.
Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed via his official X (formerly Twitter) account that Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for serious criminal offences including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences,” Srem-Sai stated, adding that asset recovery efforts are already underway to secure suspected proceeds of crime.
