NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Antwi Boasiako 'Wontumi'

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem Sai, has disclosed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for multiple criminal offences.

These include fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering.
In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Justice Srem Sai revealed that Wontumi, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) since Tuesday, is also implicated in a second strand of investigation linked to a broader international organised crime scheme.

The Deputy Attorney General emphasised that EOCO is collaborating closely with international law enforcement partners to probe this complex network of alleged criminal activities.

“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 criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery processes to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime. The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation, which is part of a larger international organised crime scheme,” Justice Sai wrote.

He added that EOCO is fervently working with international security agencies on the investigation and offences related to Wontumi’s alleged international criminal scheme.

“The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand of criminal investigations,” the Deputy AG noted.

Wontumi was arrested and detained by EOCO on May 27, 2025, after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra upon invitation.

The arrest followed a failed attempt to apprehend him on May 23, 2025, and came amid intense interrogation by the police CID over allegations of illegal mining activities.

However, addressing the media on Tuesday night, his lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, disclosed that his client’s interrogation by EOCO is related to Wontumi’s dealings with Exim Bank.

Appiah-Kubi also disclosed that Wontumi has been served a writ of summons by Exim Bank, adding to his legal challenges.

Wontumi reportedly took ill after undergoing intense interrogation at EOCO on Tuesday, leading to his hospitalisation.

According to reports, Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH₵50 million by EOCO on Wednesday but failed to meet the bail conditions, warranting his continued stay in EOCO custody.