By Daniel Bampoe
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has made startling revelations about his experience in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), claiming that the conditions nearly cost him his life.
Speaking at a political gathering in the Adansi Asokwa constituency on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Wontumi painted a grim picture of what he described as a “dehumanising” detention.
He alleged that he came face-to-face with death and even sensed the presence of his deceased relatives while in custody.
Arrest And Allegations
Wontumi was arrested on May 27, 2025, after being invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning.
His detention was linked to allegations of fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, accusations which he has repeatedly denied.
The arrest sparked a wave of political controversy, with his supporters accusing state security agencies of targeting him for political reasons.
At the time, EOCO maintained that its actions were based on ongoing investigations into serious financial crimes.
The Ordeal In Custody
Recounting his experience, the outspoken politician said the conditions of the cell were unbearable.
“When I was arrested by EOCO, if you count your legs three times, that’s the width of the place where I was kept,” he narrated to the charged crowd. “If you look at where I slept, I nearly died.”
He added that the suffocating environment made him feel as though he was approaching the end of his life.
“If someone is about to die, you’d know. You would see your relatives who have already passed away; you would begin to sense their presence around you, which literally means you are about to join them,” he explained.
Spiritual Dimension And Biblical Comparison
Chairman Wontumi suggested that his experience was not only physical but also spiritual.
He claimed that the visions of his late relatives signaled that his life was hanging by a thread.
In an emotional turn, he likened his suffering to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
“I felt the presence of death around me in the place I was kept, just like when Jesus Christ shouted, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani’ during his crucifixion. That’s when I also shouted, ‘People of Ghana, arise! Ghana, arise! It is because of you that I am being treated this way.’”
Recurring Clashes with Security Agencies
This is not the first time Chairman Wontumi has clashed with state security agencies.
Earlier this year, he expressed anger after a raid by National Security operatives on his private property, questioning whether he was being treated as a non-Ghanaian.
His continued run-ins with security institutions have deepened political tensions, with his supporters alleging persecution under the current administration.
