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The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—has been released from custody by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after satisfying the conditions of his GH¢50 million bail.
Wontumi’s legal team, led by Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that the bail terms—granted on Wednesday, May 28—were fully met by Friday, May 30, including the provision of two justified sureties. However, his release was delayed due to a pending motion filed at the High Court seeking a review of the bail terms.
The motion, lodged on May 30, was initially set for hearing on Tuesday, June 3, but was formally withdrawn by Wontumi’s lawyers on Monday, June 2. According to his legal team, the motion had been filed without the explicit approval of their client.
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Following the withdrawal of the motion, Wontumi was subsequently released and is now back home. His release was confirmed by the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, who addressed party supporters at the EOCO headquarters on Monday evening.
“I can confirm that Chairman Wontumi has been released. He’s gone home to relax. We will inform you of any new developments. Let’s thank Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi, for the support,” Mr Kodua stated.
Despite regaining his freedom, Wontumi remains at the center of a major criminal investigation being spearheaded by EOCO.
According to the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Chairman Wontumi is being investigated for multiple alleged criminal offences, including:
- Fraud
- Causing financial loss to the state
- Money laundering
Dr Srem-Sai, in a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), revealed that EOCO is collaborating with international law enforcement agencies on one arm of the probe, which he described as having “a complex international dimension”.
“Suspect BERNARD ANTWI BOASIAKO, a.k.a. Chairman Wontumi, is under investigation for various criminal offences (including fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering),” the Deputy Attorney General noted.
“The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a larger international organised crime scheme. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners,” he added.
The NPP has officially condemned what it perceives as political harassment, with several leading figures expressing concern over what they call the “intimidation of opposition voices” by the current administration. The party has pledged to provide Chairman Wontumi with legal and moral support throughout the process.
For now, Chairman Wontumi is expected to fully cooperate with EOCO as investigations continue into the serious allegations levelled against him.
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