The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, spent Wednesday night in custody at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) office in Accra.
This was he failed to meet bail conditions to the tune of GH¢50 million with two sureties, both of which must be justified.
His lawyer and former Asante Akyem North MP, Andy Appiah Kubi, told journalists that his client could not secure the required sureties in time, hence his continuous stay in custody.
“This is part of an ongoing police enquiry. We are complying fully, and hopefully, the conditions will be met soon,” Mr Appiah Kubi said.
Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, after he appeared at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for questioning over his alleged involvement in illegal mining, known locally as galamsey.
EOCO officials reportedly took him into custody for further interrogation related to alleged financial loss to the state.
Lawyer Appiah-Kubi confirmed that Wontumi is now under investigation by EOCO for “causing financial loss to the state,” a serious offence that could have far-reaching legal and political consequences if proven.
