The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi has been picked up by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters on Tuesday, May 27.

Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP in a radio interview confirmed that Chairman Wontumi appeared before the CID earlier in the day to assist with ongoing investigations but he was later picked up by officials of EOCO when he was leaving the premises.

He said heavily armed men crossed the vehicle of Chairman Wontumi and took him away.

As of 5:30pm, he said the reason for the pick up was not known as Wontumi continued to remain in EOCO custody and he had been denied access to counsel.

Chairman Wontumi was officially cautioned on Monday, May 26, for allegedly engaging in mining operations without a license in a forest reserve.

In a press release issued on Monday, May 26, the CID confirmed that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako had reported to the CID Headquarters in Accra earlier that day at noon. He was accompanied by a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.

According to the statement, Wontumi cooperated fully with investigators and submitted a formal statement.

He was subsequently granted bail with instructions to return for further questioning on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Chairman Wontumi has denied involvement in illegal mining and reports.

Speaking to journalists after his interrogation by the CID on Monday, he firmly defended his innocence on both fronts, stating he had complied fully with legal requirements regarding his mining operations.