Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer and former Vice President, expressed significant disappointment on Friday, May 30, 2025, after he and other NPP officials were denied access to the party's detained Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi. Speaking to the media outside the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters in Accra, Dr. Bawumia explained that despite prior arrangements, security agencies, including the NIB and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), cited the large crowd present as the reason for not allowing the visit. "We had made arrangements to see our chairman, who is currently in the custody of EOCO. Unfortunately, we are here, but the NIB and EOCO feel that the crowd is such that they are not able to bring him here at the moment," Bawumia stated, emphasizing the party's frustration.

Chairman Wontumi's detention began on Tuesday, May 27, when he was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. He was subsequently handed over to EOCO, which granted him bail on Wednesday, May 28. However, Wontumi has remained in custody as he has not yet met the stringent bail conditions, which include a GHS50 million bond with two justified sureties. Following his time with EOCO, he was transferred to the NIB.

Dr. Bawumia heavily criticized the GHS50 million bail condition, describing it as "very onerous" and potentially designed to hinder Wontumi's timely release. "The bail conditions are very onerous. I don’t know how many people in Ghana can meet a GHS50 million requirement with justified property. I believe this was set just to prevent his timely release,” he remarked. Dr. Bawumia is reportedly leading efforts to meet these conditions.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, disclosed that Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for serious alleged offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. Dr. Srem Sai also revealed that EOCO is collaborating with international law enforcement partners on a broader criminal investigation involving Wontumi.

Amidst the developments, Dr. Bawumia urged NPP supporters and the public to remain calm and to allow the legal process to unfold. "We are going to follow due process and ensure that he is released as soon as possible. I want to plead with all of you to remain calm and not take the law into your own hands. It is important to follow due process and ensure Chairman Wontumi is released safe and sound," he appealed. Several Members of Parliament and senior NPP officials had also gathered at the NIB headquarters, seeking to see the detained chairman.