The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has taken into custody Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27.
Sources close to the matter confirm that Chairman Wontumi appeared before the CID earlier that day to assist with ongoing investigations. Subsequently, EOCO officials took him into custody for further questioning.
The exact nature of the investigation has not been disclosed, and his legal team has yet to comment on the situation.
According to reports, heavily armed men intercepted Chairman Wontumi’s vehicle and took him away.
As of 5:30 pm, the reason for his detention remained unknown. Wontumi continued to be held in EOCO custody and had allegedly been denied access to the full complement of legal counsel.
Meanwhile, large numbers of NPP supporters and executives gathered at EOCO headquarters, demanding information and access to Wontumi.
Security has been significantly heightened at the premises of EOCO on High Street in Accra as military personnel has been deployed to maintain order and prevent escalation.
As of Tuesday evening, EOCO had not provided official reasons for Wontumi’s detention, fueling speculation and unrest among political observers.
Meanwhile, NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, speaking to the media, expressed strong disapproval of the incident, accusing EOCO of unjust treatment and denying party officials access to their colleague.
He condemned the arrest as politically motivated and described the situation as harassment of the prominent party figure.