Chairman Wontumi’s GH₵50m Bail Struggle Sparks Political Storm Amid Fraud, Money Laundering Probe

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, remains in custody as his legal team scrambles to meet the strict conditions tied to a GH₵50 million bail granted by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). His arrest and ongoing detention have ignited a political firestorm, with rising tensions between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers.

Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, following a summons by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. His detention stems from a wide-ranging investigation by EOCO into alleged financial misconduct, including transactions involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIMBANK).

Although bail was granted on Wednesday, May 28, Wontumi’s legal team has thus far only secured one of the two required sureties, delaying his release. Initial speculation suggested that former Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong might step in as a surety. Still, sources close to the case confirmed that he is not involved in the bail arrangement, despite having expressed public support for Wontumi.

In a public statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that Wontumi is under investigation for fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. He noted that asset recovery efforts are underway to secure what law enforcement suspects as proceeds of crime.

“The suspect is under investigation for various criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering,” Srem-Sai stated. “EOCO is also conducting a second strand of investigation that ties into a broader international organised crime network in collaboration with global law enforcement partners.”

The Deputy Attorney General emphasized that these probes are running concurrently, with a view to preventing the dissipation of suspected illicit assets.

The ongoing legal saga took a dramatic turn today Thursday, May 29, when Minority MPs in Parliament staged a sit-in protest in front of EOCO’s headquarters in Accra. Chanting and holding placards, the MPs, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accused the government of political persecution and the weaponization of state institutions against perceived opponents.

The protest disrupted traffic and drew a significant police presence, intensifying the already charged political climate.

NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye condemned what he described as the “increasing politicisation of EOCO,” while some within the NPP view the Minority’s protest as an unusual but telling show of solidarity.

Though EOCO has remained tight-lipped about the full scope of its investigation, multiple sources suggest the probe may involve complex financial dealings, including alleged misuse of public funds and interests in the mining sector.

Chairman Wontumi, a prominent and outspoken figure within the NPP, is known for his influence in the Ashanti Region and his active role in the party’s campaign machinery. His arrest has not only become a symbol of Ghana’s fight against organised crime but also a litmus test for the independence of investigative institutions. As legal teams work frantically to secure his release, the case continues to evolve, drawing national scrutiny and fueling debate over justice, due process, and political accountability.

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