Wontumi’s arrest by EOCO likely linked to suspected money laundering - Kpebu

Private lawyer Martin Kpebu commented on the arrest of Bernard Antwi-Boasiako. He is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He is also known as “Chairman Wontumi.” The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) arrested him. This may relate to potential money laundering from illegal mining.

Kpebu spoke on Joy FM’s News Night on May 27. He noted that EOCO investigates financial crimes, including money laundering. He said, “This is to be expected because EOCO deals with issues of money laundering.”

He explained that illegal mining generates crime-related proceeds. If Wontumi uses this money for other businesses, it could be money laundering. Kpebu described this as a classic case of money laundering linked to galamsey activities.

He believes Wontumi's involvement in galamsey justifies further investigations by EOCO. Kpebu stated, “We can use publicly available knowledge – that’s the illegal mining he did.”

Chairman Wontumi was re-arrested on May 27 after leaving CID headquarters in Accra. He had complied with a directive for further questioning under his bail conditions. His investigation involves alleged illegal mining in forest reserves and unauthorized access to restricted areas.

While EOCO has not revealed specific reasons for the arrest, Kpebu thinks financial aspects of Wontumi’s actions support EOCO's intervention.