Minority Storms EOCO in Protest against GH¢50m Bail for Chairman Wontumi
Parliament was thrown into turmoil on Thursday, May 29, as the Minority staged a dramatic walkout in protest of what they described as the unfair and punitive bail conditions imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus abruptly abandoned parliamentary proceedings and marched to the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), where Wontumi is currently under custody. The Minority vowed to boycott all business in Parliament until the embattled party chairman is granted bail under what they consider reasonable conditions.
Speaking on the floor of the House before the walkout, Afenyo-Markin condemned EOCO’s handling of the case, alleging excessive force and a blatant disregard for due process. He claimed that Wontumi, despite voluntarily reporting to the police on Tuesday, May 27, was later forcibly removed from his vehicle by EOCO operatives and detained.
“Chairman Wontumi was accosted and physically pulled out of his car despite cooperating fully with police. Now, he is unwell and being held at the NIB clinic,” Afenyo-Markin said. “This is not how justice should be done.”
The Minority Leader also lashed out at EOCO’s decision to impose a GH¢50 million property-based bail, describing it as excessive, arbitrary, and punitive.
“Our courts have repeatedly ruled that bail must not be used as a form of punishment. This man has a fixed address and voluntarily traveled from Kumasi to Accra to cooperate. So why this harassment?” he questioned.
Quoting Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, Afenyo-Markin accused EOCO of acting in an “arbitrary, capricious, and biased” manner. He urged the agency to immediately reconsider and revise the bail terms.
“We support accountability and the rule of law, but justice must not be selective or weaponized. Today it is Chairman Wontumi. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else,” he warned.
He further announced that the Minority caucus would maintain its boycott of parliamentary proceedings until EOCO reviewed the bail conditions, adding that some members were prepared to remain at EOCO’s premises in solidarity.
“As small as our numbers are, we will stay away from Parliament. We are ready to sleep there [at EOCO]. We will not present any GH¢50 million property. We don’t have that,” he declared.
As of Thursday evening, Chairman Wontumi remained in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau’s clinic under EOCO’s authority. His legal team is reportedly preparing to challenge the bail conditions in court.
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