Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Divine Agorhom, has revealed that former Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the opposition party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and other bigwigs of the party are working to secure the release of the party's Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

"If that is not the case, my understanding is that the council is considering legal avenues to vary the conditions. If all that fails, then we will have to pull resources and see what we can do to get him out.

“Not only His Excellency the Former Vice President, but all leading members, including our caucus in parliament and the national leadership. They are all involved in finding a solution," he said in an interview with CitiNews.

Earlier, Dr Bawumia expressed concern over the arrest and continued detention of Chairman Wontumi.

In a post on Facebook, he wrote: "In a democratic environment as ours, no individual is above the law. Equally, no Ghanaian—regardless of political affiliation or status—should ever be denied their constitutional rights. Justice and due process are not optional; they are the foundation of our democracy.

I have been in constant touch with Mr. Wontumi’s legal team since this morning to ensure that his rights are protected and that due process is followed. I commend them for their professionalism and vigilance.

I also urge the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and all relevant state institutions to act strictly within the bounds of the law and to respect the rights of Mr. Wontumi as guaranteed by our Constitution. Any deviation from these principles risks undermining public trust in our justice system and weakening the democratic values we have worked hard to build."

Chairman Wontumi spent Wednesday night in the custody of Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters. EOCO arrested Chairman Wontumi on Tuesday after he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. On Tuesday, supporters of the opposition party massed up at the EOCO office, demanding the release of Wontumi.

He was sent to the hospital over an illness. He also failed to make a ¢50 million bail with two sureties, both of which must be justified. The Minority has emphasised that the bail is exorbitant and must be varied.

"Have they looked at the Constitution? They should vary the bail term, the man is unwell. He’s in their [EOCO] custody, they know, so they should vary. Wontumi will not run away,” the Minority Leader said.

Leadership of the NPP and Minority have noted that they will not meet the current bail condition and have pledged to mass up at EOCO’s premises on Friday, May 30.

Members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament on Thursday boycotted parliamentary sitting over the continuous detention of Chairman Wontumi.

According to the Minority legislators, they will abstain from attending all parliamentary proceedings until Wontumi, who is under investigation for alleged serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, according to Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, is released from the custody of Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

“The NPP side, however, our numbers, we will protest by absenting ourselves from the proceedings of this House. Mr Speaker, they [EOCO] must do the right thing, and we will not be part of any proceedings until the right thing is done,” the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said.

The NPP legislators embarked on a solidarity walk to the EOCO headquarters to demand his release. At the premises of EOCO, the legislators staged a sit-down and chanted a number of diplomatic and party songs.

Simultaneously, other party supporters restricted the movements of police officers deployed to ensure safety and security. After minutes of intervention by party leadership, chaos was averted.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters on Monday alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorisation and pollution of water bodies. Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.

He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve. Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23. After the failed search attempt, Mr Boasiako expressed his displeasure over a search that was orchestrated by national security operatives at his residence.

The search comes after Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses, citing allegations of illegal mining and other violations.

During engagement with the media, he accused the company of being involved in galamsey operations and breaching mining regulations.

Mr Buah also claimed that Akonta Mining was illegally selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners, charging up to GH₵300,000 per concession, with some payments reportedly made in gold royalties.

Akonta Mining Company Limited, owned by Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, claiming GH₵20 million in damages.

The company alleges that during a press conference on April 22, Minister Buah made defamatory remarks, accusing Akonta Mining of illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The company has strongly denied these accusations, asserting that its mining leases, which were granted in 2021, cover areas outside of the protected reserve.

The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on April 24, argues that the minister's statements were false and damaging to its reputation.