Watch how Chairman Wontumi was picked up by EOCO

A video has emerged showing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi. He is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) arrested him.

Wontumi was at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on May 27. After leaving, EOCO operatives intercepted him.

EOCO has not released an official statement yet. The details of the investigation are still unclear. Wontumi's legal team has not commented on the situation.

Some NPP leaders and supporters gathered at the EOCO office to support Wontumi. He was granted bail and expected to report back to CID today, May 27, 2025.

Superintendent Joseph Benefo Darkwah from CID shared a press release. It stated that Wontumi faced three allegations:

1. Mining without a license.
2. Polluting water bodies.
3. Entering a forest reserve without permission.

The police noted that Wontumi cooperated with investigators and provided his statement before being granted bail.

After his interrogation, Chairman Wontumi spoke to journalists. He said he was invited by police regarding galamsey activities. He presented his license to prove he does not engage in illegal mining.

He denied working in a forest area and challenged anyone with evidence to show it to him. He also refuted claims of receiving GH₵50 million from COCOBOD before leaving office.

Wontumi insisted these allegations are false. On May 26, after being granted bail for another case, he addressed the media again.

He explained that contractors use their own funds for road construction initially. The government reimburses them only after project completion based on assessments by engineers from COCOBOD and Ghana Highways Authority.

Wontumi claimed COCOBOD took nearly three years to pay him what they owed. Therefore, he argued that COCOBOD cannot deny their debt to him.

Watch the video below:

How Chairman Wontumi was picked up by personnel of EOCO after his interrogation at CID Headquarters: pic.twitter.com/54JxsCWBLQ
— SIKAOFFICIAL???? (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) May 27, 2025

NPP leaders and supporters have gathered at EOCO office to support Chairman Wontumi: pic.twitter.com/eFJxwNS3h0
— Vanessa Edotom Boateng (@VanessaEboateng) May 27, 2025