EOCO picks up Chairman Wontumi after CID visit

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has detained Bernard Antwi Boasiako. He is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He is commonly known as Chairman Wontumi.

He was taken into custody after visiting the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on May 27. Sources say he went to assist with ongoing investigations. Later, EOCO officials picked him up for further questioning.

The details of the investigations are not yet public. His legal team has not commented on this situation. On May 26, he was cautioned for allegedly mining without a license.

He also faces accusations of polluting water bodies and entering a forest reserve unlawfully. A press release from CID confirmed his visit to their headquarters in Accra that day.

He arrived at noon with a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame. The statement noted that Wontumi cooperated fully and provided a formal statement. He was granted bail but instructed to return for more questioning on Tuesday.

Chairman Wontumi denies any involvement in illegal mining activities. He also refutes claims linking him to a controversial payment from COCOBOD. After his interrogation, he spoke to journalists and maintained his innocence regarding both issues.