The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been transferred to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) following his detention at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters.
According to reports, Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
The investigation, being handled by EOCO, has asset recovery efforts underway to secure suspected proceeds of crime.
Chairman Wontumi was initially arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, May 27, and subsequently picked up by EOCO after his release.
He was granted bail set at GH¢50 million with two justified sureties, but has yet to meet the conditions.
The NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is reportedly spearheading efforts to meet the bail conditions. Several Members of Parliament and senior party officials have shown up at the NIB, alongside a crowd of supporters, amid a heavy security presence.
The case has sparked significant public and political interest, with the Minority MPs previously marching from Parliament to EOCO’s headquarters in protest of Chairman Wontumi’s detention. However, they returned to Parliament on Friday, May 30, effectively ending their boycott.
The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating that EOCO is handling the case and working to secure suspected proceeds of crime.