Wontumi Transferred to NIB Amid Bail Struggles, NPP Supporters Storm Office – GhArticles.com
Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has been relocated to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) following his continued detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The transfer on May 30, 2025, has stirred heightened political and public interest, especially as Wontumi remains in custody despite being granted bail of GHS 50 million on May 28. The bail terms require two justified sureties—conditions he has yet to meet.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, 2024 NPP flagbearer and former Vice President, is reportedly leading efforts to meet the bail conditions. Other senior party officials and Members of Parliament have also thronged the NIB premises, where security has been significantly beefed up due to the large crowd of NPP supporters gathered outside.
Wontumi was first arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police on May 27 before being handed over to EOCO.
His continued detention has sparked political tension, including a walkout protest by Minority MPs on May 29 and a march to EOCO headquarters that disrupted traffic and drew a strong police response. The MPs, however, returned to Parliament the following day.
According to Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, Wontumi is under investigation for serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. EOCO is also working on recovering suspected proceeds of crime linked to the case.