Opposition leader accused of international graft

Ghana’s Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, has broken his silence on the controversial detention of Bernard Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, revealing that the chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is under investigation for alleged serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Srem-Sai disclosed that the investigations are not limited to local criminal activities but also form part of a wider international organised crime probe being undertaken in collaboration with global law enforcement partners, reports My Joy Online. ‘The criminal investigation is running concurrently with asset recovery processes – to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime,’ he wrote. He further explained that a second strand of the investigation is part of a ‘larger international organised crime scheme,’ with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) actively working alongside international agencies. Wontumi was arrested by EOCO on 27 May after he reported to the Criminal Investigation Department. He was subsequently granted bail of GH¢50m ($4 936 320) with two sureties, both to be justified. Wontumi, however, spent the night behind bars after failing to meet the full bail conditions. Srem-Sai's confirmation came hours after Minority NPP Members of Parliament staged a walkout from the House to protest what they described as harsh bail conditions imposed on their party stalwart. They also picketed outside EOCO’s premises, demanding the review of what they considered unjust bail conditions and insisting that Wontumi's detention was politically motivated.

Full My Joy Online report