Wontumi visits Bawumia after release from EOCO custody amid fraud probe

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has paid a courtesy call on former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a day after regaining his freedom from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Chairman Wontumi had been in EOCO custody since May 27, 2025, after he was arrested over serious allegations involving fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. The charges stem from what investigators have described as questionable business dealings linked to government contracts and alleged misuse of public funds during his tenure as a powerful regional party leader.

His arrest sent shockwaves through the NPP, especially in the Ashanti Region, where Wontumi wields considerable political influence. His detention also sparked fierce debate within the party, with some members calling for calm while others demanded swift clarification from party leadership.

On Monday, June 2, Wontumi was granted bail after meeting the conditions of a GHS50,000 bond with two sureties. His legal team, while not publicly commenting on the details of the allegations, has maintained his innocence and pledged full cooperation with the investigative process.

The day after his release, Wontumi visited the NPP national headquarters in Accra, where he was greeted by party supporters and top executives in what many interpreted as a show of solidarity. Later that day, he met with former Vice President Dr. Bawumia, who sources say expressed his support for due process and urged Wontumi to remain steadfast.

The visit comes at a delicate time for the NPP, as internal campaigning intensifies ahead of the December 2024 general elections. Wontumi remains a central figure in the party’s political machinery in the Ashanti Region, a traditional NPP stronghold, and his legal troubles could have broader implications for the party's cohesion and electoral prospects.

While EOCO has yet to officially comment on the status of its investigations, sources close to the matter indicate that the probe is still ongoing. For now, Wontumi is out on bail, but the legal and political fallout from the case continues to unfold.