Chairman Wontumi: Government Chasing NPP Bigwig for State Vehicles, MASLOC Boss Shares Details
- The state is chasing Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, for some state assets
- The CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, Abigail Elorm Mensah, gave updates on the government's efforts
- Boasiako has faced intense scrutiny, notably being arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office on May 27
The CEO of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre, Abigail Elorm Mensah, disclosed that three government vehicles have been retrieved from the residence of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi.
She told Citi FM went with National Security operatives to retrieve the cars.
Source: Facebook
Mensah said the government was looking to retrieve two other cars from Boasiako.
“We managed to retrieve three, and we are still pursuing him for the remaining two. He has to pay for them."
Mensah explained that this was part of moves to recover government loans and vehicles from defaulters.
According to her, the centre’s procedures require individuals who default on repayment obligations or misuse government vehicles to either return the assets or settle their outstanding debts.
“Our practice is that once we seize the cars, the agreement stipulates that you must repay whatever has accrued before the vehicles are released back to you.”
Recent scrutiny of Chairman Wontumi
Boasiako has been under fire this past year, notably being arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office on May 27.
He was arrested over ongoing investigations into an alleged $55 million fraud case and was allegedly involved in illegal mining.
There are also asset recovery processes to take control of suspected proceeds of crime.
Boasiako is also being probed because of a larger international organised crime scheme.
He had previously been charged with illegal mining-related offences by the police. National security operatives even stormed his residence in Kumasi to execute a search warrant.
Before all this, the government revoked the license of his mining company, Akonta Mining Limited. The state accused Akonta Mining of being engaged in illegal mining.
Illegal mining claims against Wontumi
Akonta Mining has long been linked to illegal mining activities, especially in forest reserves. Boasiako has denied these claims.
In 2022, the Media Coalition Against Galamsey called for the arrest and prosecution of Boasiako.
It said there was evidence that Akonta Mining violated the Minerals and Mining Act by mining closely along the banks of the Tano River.
The coalition also accused the previous Nana Akufo-Addo government of not showing a commitment to truly fight illegal mining.
President Akufo-Addo notably defended Boasiako and Akonta Mining at the time.
Godfred Dame leads Chairman Wontumi's legal team.
YEN.com.gh reported that Boasiako's legal team is being led by former Attorney General Godfred Dame, who accompanied him to the police.
He was also accompanied by the former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi.
Source: YEN.com.gh
