By Daniel Bampoe
A fresh legal twist is delaying the release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, despite his legal team successfully meeting the bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Chairman Wontumi, the embattled Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was granted bail on Tuesday, May 27, in the sum of GH₵50 million with two sureties — both to be justified.
His arrest stems from ongoing investigations by EOCO into suspected money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes.
The arrest and subsequent detention have drawn national attention, sparking political commentary and legal maneuvering.
According to lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi, all documentation for the required sureties has now been completed, with crucial support from former Food and Agriculture Minister, 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,” Appiah-Kubi told JoyNews on Friday, May 30. “He has brought his documents, which go over and above the value of money that is required.”
Until now, Wontumi’s legal team had struggled to meet the condition of securing two justified sureties, a challenge that kept him in EOCO custody since the court ruling.
However, just as all seemed in place for his release, a new legal complication emerged.
Unknown to Appiah-Kubi, another legal practitioner, Gary Nimako Marfo of Marfo & Associates, had filed an application in the High Court on the same day, seeking a review of the bail conditions.
The motion is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, June 3.
The existence of this parallel application effectively stalled EOCO’s plans to inspect the sureties’ properties and move forward with Wontumi’s release.
“The officers were ready to do the inspection tonight, so all the officers are there, but the challenge that I faced is legal. We can’t do it,” Appiah-Kubi explained.
“It’s an application that was not filed by my good self, but that prohibits us.”
The legal document, dated May 30, 2025, and filed at the High Court in Accra, notifies the court of an intent to move a motion to review the bail terms.
The document was served on both EOCO and the Attorney General’s Office.
The filing may have been intended to reduce or vary the terms, but its timing has inadvertently kept Wontumi in custody for the time being.
This twist came even as political support rallied behind Wontumi. On Friday, former Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, visited the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) premises where Wontumi is being held.
Addressing party supporters outside the facility, Bawumia described the GH₵50 million bail as an undue obstacle.
“I believe that this was just set to prevent his release,” Bawumia said, expressing concern over what he perceived as excessive conditions designed to frustrate the process.
He nonetheless urged calm among the party faithful, stating that due process must be followed.
“We are going to follow the legal process to make sure that he is released as soon as possible. I want to plead with all of you to remain calm,” he stated. “We will be successful.”
The situation has also been clouded by confusion over Wontumi’s health and whereabouts.
Earlier claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin suggested Wontumi’s location was unknown.
However, Appiah-Kubi dismissed those assertions, confirming that Wontumi is being held at the NIB facility and is receiving medical attention.
“He’s receiving attention and there’s nothing to worry about in respect of his health,” the lawyer said, denying rumours of a hunger strike.
He explained that Wontumi had been briefly brought out for a high-level meeting, but logistical difficulties in managing the crowd made it impractical.
With all legal documentation now complete, Wontumi’s legal team hopes to resolve the overlapping application in court by Monday, possibly paving the way for his release shortly afterward.
However, until the High Court rules on or strikes out the motion to review the bail, EOCO remains legally restrained from executing the release procedures.
