Security has been reinforced at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra following the arrest of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.
Wontumi was re-arrested by EOCO officials on Tuesday, May 27, moments after he had honoured an invitation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning in an ongoing investigation. The specific details of the probe remain undisclosed.
The arrest sparked a swift reaction from the NPP, with large numbers of party supporters and regional executives massing at the EOCO compound in a show of solidarity.
The crowd, many of whom chanted slogans and demanded Wontumi’s release, quickly created a tense environment around the facility.
In response, EOCO called in military personnel to reinforce security and maintain calm. Armed officers were seen stationed at key entry points and patrolling the premises to prevent any escalation.
Tempers flared when two police pickup trucks arrived at the scene. Some of the angry supporters surrounded the vehicles, banging and hitting them in protest. The police maintained restraint and eventually moved the trucks away from the crowd.
The incident adds to growing political tension over what the NPP has described as a “rambo-style” arrest meant to intimidate its members.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, earlier criticised EOCO’s actions, urging state institutions to uphold due process and avoid politically motivated gestures.
As of Tuesday evening, Wontumi remained in EOCO custody. Officials have yet to issue a formal statement detailing the reason for his re-arrest, though legal analysts suggest it could be tied to possible money laundering allegations stemming from his alleged involvement in illegal mining.
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