Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) also known as Chairman Wontumi, has been detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). His detention is part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai has indicated that a second phase of the investigation links Wontumi to a wider international organized crime syndicate.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail by EOCO on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, to the sum of GH₵50 million with two justified sureties. His legal team, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed on Friday, May 30, 2025, that these stringent bail conditions had been met. Significant support in meeting these conditions came from former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, who reportedly provided documentation exceeding the required value.

Despite the fulfillment of the bail conditions, Chairman Wontumi's release has been stalled. A new court motion was filed on May 30 by Marfo & Associates at the High Court in Accra, seeking a review of the bail conditions, which Wontumi's lawyers described as "excessive" and "intended to prevent his release." This motion, which Mr. Appiah-Kubi stated was filed unknown to him and prohibits Wontumi's release, is scheduled to be heard on June 3, 2025.

The NPP has expressed significant concern over the situation and their inability to ascertain Wontumi's whereabouts or condition. Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Haruna Mohammed, stated the party had not been able to find Chairman Wontumi and described the situation as "very surprising." He drew parallels with the past detention of NDC's Koku Anyidohu, where party leadership was granted access, questioning what had changed and accusing the current government of being "interested in persecution."

A high-level NPP delegation, including the party's 2024 flagbearer and former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, visited the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters on Friday, May 30, 2025, to check on Wontumi. However, they were denied access. NIB officials reportedly informed them that Wontumi was not at the Ridge premises but at their Kawukudi office, and access required EOCO authorization. Dr. Bawumia expressed disappointment and questioned the feasibility of the GH₵50 million bail, suggesting it was designed to prevent Wontumi's release, while Afenyo-Markin described the arrest as a "show of power" by the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Wontumi's lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that his client is being denied access to his family and his phones have been confiscated, which he views as a "violation" of Wontumi's rights. While the legal team's immediate focus is on securing his release, they may seek further redress for the denial of family access later. Mr. Appiah-Kubi also addressed Wontumi's health, confirming he "has been unwell and is still unwell" and receiving medical attention at a clinic while in EOCO's custody, but denied rumors of a hunger strike. He also highlighted concerns about the "mode" of Wontumi's apprehension, being "accosted in the middle of the road and arrested" without prior direct invitation for the current EOCO charges.

The Ashanti Regional Communications Director of the NPP, Paul Nyandoh, described enduring mosquito bites while sleeping at EOCO's premises since Tuesday, waiting to see Wontumi and deliver his medications. Nyandoh expressed his belief that Wontumi is being unjustly persecuted and has done nothing to warrant being held for four days without access to his medicine.

Chairman Wontumi was initially invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) concerning allegations of mining without a license and polluting a river in the Western Region, all of which he has denied. His current detention by EOCO, however, pertains to separate allegations of causing financial loss to the state.

The initial disclosure of Chairman Wontumi's location to national security agencies was reportedly made by Alex Tetteh, President and Founder of Citizen Eye Ghana (CITEG). Tetteh has stated that his petition to investigate Wontumi was a personal civic action and not influenced by any political campaign.

As of Friday evening, May 30, 2025, Chairman Wontumi remained in custody. His legal team is working to address the new court application, with Andy Appiah-Kubi expressing optimism that the issue could be cleared by Monday, paving the way for Wontumi's release. Wontumi is reportedly "not too happy with the situation" but has expressed willingness to cooperate with legitimate invitations from security agencies.