The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has picked up Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27.
Sources close to the development confirm that Chairman Wontumi, who appeared before the CID earlier in the day to assist with ongoing investigations, was later picked up by officials of EOCO for further questioning.
The precise nature of the investigation remains undisclosed, however his legal team is yet to speak on the development.
Chairman Wontumi was officially cautioned on Monday, May 26, for allegedly engaging in mining operations without a license, polluting water bodies, and unlawfully entering a forest reserve.
In a press release issued on Monday, May 26, the CID confirmed that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako had reported to the CID Headquarters in Accra earlier that day at noon. He was accompanied by a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.
According to the statement, Wontumi cooperated fully with investigators and submitted a formal statement. He was subsequently granted bail with instructions to return for further questioning on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Chairman Wontumi has denied involvement in illegal mining and reports linking him to a controversial payment from COCOBOD.
Speaking to journalists after his interrogation by the CID on Monday, he firmly defended his innocence on both fronts, stating he had complied fully with legal requirements regarding his mining operations.
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