The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has been moved from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
Some New Patriotic Party bigwigs and supporters have also stormed the NIB office.
Wontumi’s transfer comes amid amplified public and political interest in his case.
It been reported that tensions flaring up at the National Intelligence Bureau office as members of the New Patriotic Party mount another standoff with authorities over the arbitrary detention of Chairman Wontumi, which has currently exceeded 48 hours.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia according to reports has been coordinating efforts to secure bail for Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking to Citi News Divine Agorhom, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP stated, “It is not only His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia but every senior party person. We are hoping that the EOCO itself will be able to vary the condition a bit more lenient for us to meet”.
He indicated, “If that is not the case, my understanding is that the council is considering legal avenues to vary the conditions. If all that fails, then we will have to pull resources and see what we can do to get him out.
“Not only His Excellency the Former Vice President, but all leading members, including our caucus in parliament and the national leadership. They are all involved in finding a solution.”
Chairman Wontumi was arrested by EOCO following a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27 shortly after leaving the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.
He was granted bail of GH₵50 million with two sureties on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, however, his legal team on Wednesday had not fully satisfied the conditions required to secure his release.
According to the information gathered Chairman Wontumi has secured one surety but needs one more to meet full bail conditions.
Reports suggest that the former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong has offered himself as one of the sureties for Wontumi.
The minority in Parliament staged a sit-in outside the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra on Thursday, May 29.
The minority caucus demanded the release of Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Meanwhile, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai has revealed that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
Justice Srem-Sai also revealed that Wontumi is also being investigated for an International organised crime scheme.
The Deputy Attorney General noted that EOCO is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on the second strand of criminal investigations.
According to Justice Srem-Sai, 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.
In a post on X, Justice Srem-Sai wrote, “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 criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery processes – to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime”.
He further revealed, “The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a larger international organised crime scheme. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand of criminal investigations”.
Watch the video below:
Big wigs of the New Patriotic Party storm the BNI office, where the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Chairman Wontumi is purportedly being held. pic.twitter.com/n8uYkJpcQi
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 30, 2025
Tensions flaring up at the National Intelligence Bureau office as members of the New Patriotic Party mount another standoff with authorities over the arbitrary detention of Chairman Wontumi, which has currently exceeded 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/SC0pAaD0wk
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 30, 2025
