Chairman Wontumi has been freed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after a period of interrogation related to alleged financial irregularities.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known widely as Chairman Wontumi, was invited by EOCO for questioning and detained for some days.
Wontumi was released after his legal team on Monday, June 2, 2025, formally withdrew a motion that sought a review of his GH¢50 million bail condition.
The motion, originally filed at the High Court in Accra on May 30, 2025, was slated for hearing on Tuesday, June 3. However, it was withdrawn a day earlier on Monday, June 2, 2025.
The legal team argues that the current terms are excessively punitive, making it practically impossible for their client to secure release.
Andy Appiah-Kubi, a leading member of the defence team and Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, confirmed that “all legal options are being explored.”
He added that a second surety is now available to back the bail application, potentially paving the way for Wontumi’s release if the court grants the variation.
EOCO’s arrest comes under scrutiny
Appiah-Kubi questioned the legitimacy of EOCO’s actions, stating that the agency failed to issue any formal invitation before taking Wontumi into custody.
He emphasised that Wontumi has already honoured an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, where he is being investigated for allegedly engaging in mining operations without a license.
While the CID’s investigation is ongoing, EOCO is separately pursuing a case against Wontumi for allegedly causing financial loss to the state in connection with an undisclosed transaction.
The nature of the financial infractions has not been made public, but the charges have ignited widespread political controversy and raised questions about the timing and motivation behind the arrest.
