The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after fulfilling all bail conditions.
Wontumi’s release followed the withdrawal of a legal motion filed by his legal team at the High Court, which had sought a review of the GH¢50 million bail imposed by EOCO. His lawyers argued that the conditions were excessive and had unnecessarily prolonged his detention, even though the bail—granted on May 28 and requiring two justified sureties—had been satisfied by May 30.
The motion for bail review was due for hearing on June 3 but was officially withdrawn on June 2. Wontumi’s legal team clarified that the application had been filed without his full consent, prompting its retraction and clearing the way for his release.
Wontumi had been invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on May 27 for interrogation and later picked up by EOCO for further investigation. His continued detention sparked public outrage and political demonstrations.
On May 29, Minority Members of Parliament staged a walkout and marched to EOCO headquarters to protest his continued custody. They insisted he should have been released on self-recognizance, citing his public stature and low flight risk.
Supporters of the NPP also demonstrated outside EOCO’s offices, blocking roads and demanding his release.
With the legal hurdle now removed and the bail conditions officially fulfilled, EOCO has released Chairman Wontumi, bringing a close to a week of political unrest and legal wrangling.
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