Chairman Wontumi Says He Nearly Died in EOCO Custody — Details Emerge

• Chairman Wontumi described his EOCO detention as traumatic and life-threatening.
• He was arrested on May 27, 2025, over alleged financial crimes and later released on ₵10 million bail.
• His account has sparked renewed debate over the treatment of political detainees.
• The arrest triggered protests, parliamentary walkouts, and widespread party support.
• Wontumi is now campaigning for Dr Bawumia ahead of the NPP’s 2026 presidential primaries.

Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has shared a harrowing account of his time in custody following his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Speaking at a political event in Adansi Asokwa, Wontumi described the conditions of his detention as life-threatening, claiming the experience left him physically and emotionally scarred.

His arrest on May 27, 2025, stemmed from investigations into alleged financial crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state. Though he was later released on a ₵10 million bail with two sureties, Wontumi says the trauma of his confinement remains fresh.

The outspoken politician recounted being held in a cramped cell, describing vivid hallucinations and a sense of impending death. His remarks have reignited public debate over the treatment of political figures in custody and the transparency of investigative procedures.

Wontumi’s detention sparked widespread support from party loyalists, with NPP members staging protests outside EOCO headquarters and opposition lawmakers boycotting parliamentary proceedings in solidarity. The incident has since become a flashpoint in Ghana’s political discourse, raising questions about due process and the politicization of law enforcement.

Now back on the campaign trail, Wontumi is urging party members to rally behind Dr Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the NPP’s presidential primaries in January 2026. His call for unity comes at a time when internal tensions are high and the stakes for party leadership are mounting.