Wontumi’s GH₵50m bail attempt to prevent his release – Bawumia

Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that the bail against New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi is a deliberate attempt to prevent his release.

His comments followed a tense meeting at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) premises, where a heavy security presence underscored the political tension surrounding Wontumi’s case.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and later transferred to Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Although EOCO granted him bail on Wednesday, May 28, he remains in custody due to the stringent bail conditions, sparking political backlash.

On Thursday, May 29, Minority Members of Parliament staged a protest march from Parliament to EOCO headquarters in Accra, demanding Wontumi’s immediate release.

Dressed in red and black to symbolize resistance, the MPs blocked EOCO’s entrance, sang solidarity songs, and vowed to remain on the premises overnight.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who led the demonstration, also announced a parliamentary boycott by NPP MPs until Wontumi is released.

He described the bail conditions as punitive and politically motivated.

Former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong has offered to act as one of the sureties to help secure Wontumi’s release.

Speaking to the media and party supporters at the NIB headquarters in Accra on Friday, May 30, Dr. Bawumia expressed grave concern over the GH₵50 million bail bond set by the EOCO, which requires two sureties with properties of equal value, conditions that are yet to be met.

Dr. Bawumia accused the state of weaponizing the justice system to silence political opponents, arguing that the bail terms are more punitive than procedural.

“I must put on record that the bail conditions that have been set for Chairman Wontumi’s bail, 50 million Ghana cedis, is very onerous. I don’t know how many people in Ghana can have property worth 50 million Ghana cedis. I believe that this was just set to prevent his timely release,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has confirmed that Wontumi is under investigation for a range of serious offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.

He also revealed that the case involves elements of international organised crime, with EOCO collaborating with global law enforcement partners.