Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were not permitted to enter the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), to see the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), due to an alleged breach of agreement.

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A member of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Legal and Communications Team, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu revealed this piece of information during a media engagement.

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Speaking to the media on Monday, June 2, he explained that EOCO was willing to allow former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his entourage to have a moment with Chairman Wontumi.

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However, EOCO made a U-turn after several NPP members thronged the office.

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“The arrangement and the conditions that they agreed to, they breached. It was agreed to give him the honour that he has served as a former Vice President, so come with your entourage, quietly, and we will allow you to see him. That was why Wontumi was moved from EOCO to NIB, a bigger space.

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“But they breached it and bussed their people to the place. So all these… Wontumi is still languishing there because they have not been strategic in their approach,” he explained.

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Wontumi has been in the custody of the NIB and EOCO since last week Wednesday after he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service for questioning on Monday and Tuesday. Following interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

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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.

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Wontumi is also 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.

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Last Thursday and Friday, some members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament and members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) massed up at the NIB headquarters and EOCO premises to demand the immediate release and waiver of bail conditions for Chairman Wontumi on Friday.

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Among them were former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and other bigwigs in the opposition party.

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His arrest and detention follow 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.

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Akonta Mining Limited vs government

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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