Wontumi being investigated for fraud, money laundering – Deputy AG

Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has confirmed that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is currently under investigation for a series of serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Justice Srem-Sai disclosed that 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.

“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General stated.

He added that the criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery proceedings “to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime.”

The Deputy Attorney General further revealed that a second, more complex strand of investigation is also ongoing. This second phase, he explained, is linked to a larger international organised crime network. EOCO, according to him, is collaborating with global law enforcement partners to uncover the full scope of Wontumi’s alleged involvement.

“The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a larger international organised crime scheme. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand of criminal investigations,” he added.

This latest development comes amid heightened political tensions, with the NPP Minority in Parliament alleging political persecution and accusing President John Mahama of targeting Wontumi for political reasons.

Chairman Wontumi, who serves as the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, is a prominent figure within the party and has been a vocal and visible player in the party’s campaign machinery.

While EOCO has yet to officially comment on the details of the investigation, the Deputy Attorney General’s statement marks the most direct public confirmation to date of the serious nature and scope of the allegations facing the NPP stalwart.