The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after satisfying his bail conditions.
Wontumi’s legal team formally withdrew a motion on Monday, June 2, that had sought a review of the GH¢50 million bail granted by the court. The motion, originally filed at the High Court in Accra on May 30, 2025, was scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, June 3, but was retracted a day earlier.
He was granted bail on Wednesday, May 28, with two justified sureties. According to his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, all bail requirements were met by Friday, May 30. However, his release was delayed due to the pending motion for bail review, which his legal team claims was filed without his explicit approval.
After a week of legal back-and-forth, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
His release comes after his legal team successfully fulfilled all bail conditions and formally withdrew a motion seeking a review of the GH¢50 million bail granted on May 28. The motion, which was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, June 3, was withdrawn on Monday, June 2.
Despite meeting the bail requirements by Friday, May 30, Wontumi’s release was delayed due to the pending court motion—a motion his lawyers claim was filed without his explicit consent.
Speaking at the EOCO headquarters on Monday evening, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua, confirmed the release of the embattled regional chairman.
“I can confirm that Chairman Wontumi has been released. He’s gone home to relax. We will inform you of any new developments. Let’s thank Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi, for the support,” he told supporters gathered at the premises.
Chairman Wontumi is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations.
According to Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Wontumi is being investigated for alleged offences including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Srem-Sai confirmed EOCO’s leadership in the case and revealed that the state is already working to recover assets suspected to be linked to the alleged crimes.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.
He further indicated that the investigation has two key components: a domestic probe and an international dimension involving more complex financial transactions and entities.
Wontumi, who was released from EOCO custody on Monday evening after fulfilling his bail conditions, is expected to cooperate with authorities as the investigations continue.
“The suspect is also the subject of a second line of investigation, which forms part of a broader international organised crime operation. EOCO is actively collaborating with international law enforcement agencies on this aspect of the case,” Mr. Srem-Sai disclosed.
