“I nearly died in EOCO custody” – Chairman Wontumi

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has recounted his time in EOCO custody.

Chairman Wontumi, speaking to a group of NPP supporters in Adansi Asokwa, stated that he nearly died in EOCO custody.

According to Chaiman Wontumi, he was kept in a tight room and began to see his dead relatives.

Speaking during Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s visit to Adansi Asokwa, Chairman Wontumi stated, “When they arrested me, I was sent to a small room. If you look at the place Chairman Wontumi I was sleeping at, I nearly died; if not for God, I would have died. Everyone knows when they are about to die.

When you are about to die, you will see your dead family members, which means you are about to die. So, when I started seeing them, I knew I was about to die. I saw myself dying because of where I was kept”.

He added, “That was the reason why I called for Ghanaians to rise up, that it is because of Ghanaians that I am being treated this way”.

It will be recalled that Wontumi was arrested by EOCO following a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27, shortly after leaving the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.

Justice Srem-Sai later revealed that Wontumi is also being investigated for an International organised crime scheme.

The Deputy Attorney General noted that EOCO is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on the second strand of criminal investigations.

According to Justice Srem-Sai, the ongoing investigation is being handled by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with asset recovery efforts already underway to secure suspected proceeds of crime.

Chairman Wontumi was released from EOCO custody on June 2, after meeting his bail GHS50 million conditions.

Bryan Acheampong helped secure Wontumi’s release after he presented the necessary documents to meet the GH₵50 million bail requirement.

Chairman Wontumi expressed his profound gratitude, likening his situation to the 10 people cured of leprosy with just one returning to thank Jesus.

There were even claims that Chairman Wontumi went five days without food or water in EOCO custody.

Frank Annoh-Dompreh, a member of parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri also revealed that Chairman Wontumi was on a hunger strike until he was released from EOCO custody.

According to Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Chairman Wontumi has not eaten since his arrest on May 27, 2025.

Speaking on Peace FM, the lawmaker stated, “The truth is that he [Wontumi] says he is will not eat and has not eaten since his arrest. In fact, that is a decision he has taken upon himself and it’s a hunger strike”.

“The doctors have been tight-lipped, and when we ask questions, they don’t provide any helpful information. What we know is that he was taken to the BNI clinic close to the Immigration head office for medical attention, but as to how he is faring and the drugs being administered to him, we don’t know”.

They are not allowing his lawyers and us to even see and check on him. Has he killed anyone?” he added.

Frank Annoh-Dompreh’s claims were, however, refuted by Wontumi’s legal team.

Meanwhile, Dominic Ayine, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, has announced that the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, will be charged.

The Attorney General revealed that Chairman Wontumi will be charged and arraigned in the coming days.

According to Dominic Ayine, the Police CID has finalised charges against him in the mining case.

The Attorney General speaking at the Government Accountability Forum on Monday, 28th July, stated, “Wontumi to be formally charged and arraigned in the coming days, as Police CID have finalised charges against him in the mining case”.

Watch the video below:

“I nearly died in EOCO custody. I realized I was dying after I started seeing my dead relatives while being kept in a tight room.” – Chairman Wontumi pic.twitter.com/kvzPEdeS0f

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) September 10, 2025