Chairman Wontumi Opens Up About His Experience in EOCO Custody: "I Nearly Died"

• NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako has recounted a near-death experience in EOCO custody
• Chairman Wontumi said he was detained in a tiny cell for over a week during Dr Bawumia’s Ashanti Region tour
• He urged delegates to support Bawumia, insisting his sacrifices for the party must not be in vain

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has opened up about his experience while in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Speaking to some delegates of the NPP during Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's tour of the Ashanti Region, Chairman Wontumi said he almost lost his life in the cells of EOCO after he was arrested and detained for over a week.

The NPP's Ashanti Regional Chairman said he was kept in a very tiny room with very little space to move around.

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"If you see where they kept me, I nearly died. It was only God who saved me. You know, when you are dying, you start seeing your friends and family members. So, I realised I was dying and quickly started praying to God," he said.

Chairman Wontumi said he went through that horrible experience at EOCO for the NPP, adding that those sacrifices ought not to go in vain.

The controversial politician further urged delegates of the NPP to vote for Dr Bawumia, the former Vice President of Ghana, as the flagbearer of the party for the 2028 election.

Watch the video below:

The NPP flagbearer race

The flagbearer race, scheduled for January 31, 2026, is expected to be keenly contested by stalwarts of the party.

So far, five persons have submitted their nominations to contest in the presidential primary.

The contestants are Dr Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and Dr Bryan Acheampong.

Wontumi's EOCO experience sparks reactions

The video of Chairman Wontumi sharing his experience in the custody of EOCO has sparked mixed reactions.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:

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@TheSeeker102 said:

"As usual, twisting of truth to win gullible voters' sympathy. This has been the way of the NPP until Ghanaians saw their true nature.. Can this loud-mouth rather tell them his crime? We all saw what happened and can boldly say he lied big time."

@slymour also said:

"You were in power for 8 years and couldn’t do anything and in less than a year you think their problem is employment then you are failed person and on your arrest when you were squandering the money did you call anyone . You are the reason Bawumia will never win."

@yung__target commented:

"They always see Ghanaians as audience to their comedies."

Why Chairman Wontumi Was Arrested by EOCO

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, YEN.cpm.gh reported that EOCO arrested and detained Chairman Wontumi.

He was reportedly arrested over ongoing investigations into an alleged $55 million fraud case and was allegedly involved in illegal mining.

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However, Chairman Wontumi categorically denied the allegations levelled against him by EOCO.

Source: YEN.com.gh