Minority MPs boycott Parliament in solidarity with Wontumi
Members of Parliament from the Minority side on Thursday afternoon boycotted sitting in solidarity with the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who has been arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on charges of causing financial loss to the state.
Wontumi has been granted a GH¢50 million bail, but since he has not been able to meet the bail conditions, he is still in EOCO custody.
He was granted bail on Wednesday but spent the night in EOCO's custody.
- Wontumi granted GH¢50m bail by EOCO on charges of causing financial loss to the state
- Bawumia calls for due process in Wontumi's arrest
- Wontumi picked up by EOCO upon return to Police CID
- You don't go arresting a 'wild dog unprepared', security officers were there to invite Wontumi - Deputy Minister of Interior
- NIB withdraws officers from Wontumi’s residence following tensions over botched arrest
- FIC probes Akonta Mining, Wontumi
According to the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, they want EOCO to vary the bail conditions to enable Wontumi meet it.
Graphic Online's Justice Agbenorsi reports that the MPs, led by their leadership walked from Parliament House to the frontage of the EOCO office on the J.E.A. Mills highway in Accra to demand the release of Chairman Wontumi.
Minority MPs boycott Parliament in solidarity with Wontumi https://t.co/igzfukUPZ3 pic.twitter.com/GNhLQ3LsiT
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) May 29, 2025
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has admitted the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, to bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified.
His lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, who disclosed this to Graphic Online's Justice Agbenorsi in Accra said his client was interrogated by the investigative body on charges of causing financial loss to the state.
The police enquiry bail by EOCO is to allow Boasiako to be temporarily released from police custody pending investigations.
The bail came after hours of interrogation at the EOCO head office in Accra last Tuesday. Mr Boasiako is said to have fallen ill after hours of interrogation.
Mr Appiah Kubi told Graphic Online that his client was working with EOCO officers to meet the bail conditions.
Investigations
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service had early on Tuesday, invited Mr Boasiako to assist with ongoing investigations linked to alleged illegal mining (galamsey) activities.
He had previously been cautioned over accusations of mining without a licence, activities that are polluting water bodies and encroachment of forest reserves.
However, after honouring the CID’s invitation, he was subsequently picked up by EOCO officials and transported to their head office for further questioning, reportedly on related issues.
Reaction
The arrest triggered an immediate reaction from scores of NPP supporters, including party executives who stormed the EOCO premises in protest, demanding his release.
They included the National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, and former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Titus Glover.
The military was subsequently deployed to ensure law and order at the EOCO office.
