Chairman Wontumi Arrested by EOCO Following CID Interrogation
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, better known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in a surprising twist of events in Accra. This arrest occurred on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, just moments after Wontumi had concluded an earlier engagement with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at their headquarters.
According to sources, EOCO operatives intercepted Wontumi outside the CID offices, but the exact reasons for his arrest remain unclear, as EOCO has yet to issue an official statement. The sudden development has sparked widespread public interest, largely due to Wontumi’s prominence within the ruling party and the series of legal challenges he has recently faced.
Prior to this latest incident, Wontumi had been granted bail after a separate appearance at the CID on Monday, May 26, 2025. During that session, he had been questioned over allegations linked to illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as (galamsey). Wontumi was accompanied by his legal team, which included former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame and former Asante-Akim North MP Andy Appiah-Kubi.
A press release from the CID, signed by Superintendent Joseph Benefo Darkwah, outlined the key allegations against Wontumi. These included engaging in mining operations without the appropriate license, polluting water bodies, and entering a forest reserve without authorization. The CID also noted that Wontumi had cooperated fully with their investigations, provided his statements, and was subsequently granted bail.
Speaking to reporters after his CID session, Wontumi firmly rejected the accusations. “I was invited by the police and questioned about (galamsey). I showed them my mining license as proof that I operate legally. They also claimed I was working in a forest, but I told them that was not true. If they have any evidence, they should present it,” he stated.
Wontumi also addressed recent rumours circulating online, alleging that he had received a GH₵50 million payment from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) during the final days of the previous administration. He categorically denied these claims, explaining that road construction contracts do not work in the manner being suggested.
He clarified, “When a contractor builds a road, the government doesn’t hand over the funds upfront. The contractor finances the project, and upon completion, COCOBOD and the Ghana Highways Authority inspect and value the work. The agreement is for payment to be made within 28 days after the project is finished. But in my case, it took nearly three years before COCOBOD paid me. So they cannot say they don’t owe me.”
As this legal saga continues to unfold, many Ghanaians are watching closely, curious to see how the situation develops, especially given the political implications and the heightened national focus on issues related to illegal mining and governance. Watch the full video below.
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