At Last, Wontumi Gains Partial Freedom Pending State Prosecution
Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has met the bail conditions set by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). However, his release is currently being held back due to a fresh legal complication.
His lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that the legal team has secured both required sureties, with key assistance from former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
“We have been able to provide the sureties, that one, I can assure you, and I’m very grateful to Honourable Bryan Acheampong, who has supported me to file the documents,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi told JoyNews’ Michael Ashaley on Friday, May 30.
“He has brought his documents, which go over and above the value of money that is required. So I thank you very much.”
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP),had earlier been granted bail on Tuesday, May 27, to the sum of GH₵50 million with two justified sureties after being arrested by EOCO on suspicions of fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Until Friday, his legal team had only been able to provide one surety.
Despite fulfilling all bail conditions, Wontumi’s release has been delayed by a surprise legal development.
“My client is not going home tonight. We encountered a challenge that needs to be addressed before we can go forward,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi stated.
“Unknown to me, there was an application to frustrate what we are doing, so we will deal with it on Monday. It is an application that was not filed by my good self, but that prohibits us.”
He added that EOCO officials were ready to inspect the properties provided by the sureties but were legally barred from proceeding due to the pending court application.
“They had agreed to do the inspection tonight, so all the officers are there, but the challenge that I faced is legal. We can’t do it,” he explained.
Addressing public confusion about Wontumi’s location, the lawyer contradicted earlier remarks by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had claimed there was no information on his whereabouts.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi also dismissed reports suggesting that Chairman Wontumi was on a hunger strike, assuring the public that his client was receiving proper medical care.
“We had brought him to meet with the former Vice President, but the situation we saw was difficult—to arrange this meeting, to pass through the crowd, to get the Vice President to see him and talk to him. So we had to take him back,” he said.
“I told you that his condition of health requires attention. So he’s receiving attention and there’s nothing to worry about in respect of his health.”
The legal team remains hopeful that the pending legal matter will be resolved by Monday, June 2, allowing for Wontumi’s full release.
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