Bawumia Secures Sureties for Wontumi’s Bail

An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has confirmed that all the necessary sureties for the release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have been successfully arranged.

Akbar Yussif Rohullah Khomeini stated on Friday that the required documentation has been submitted and is now undergoing verification by the relevant authorities.

“If the verification of the sureties is completed today,  Chairman Wontumi will be released,” Khomeini posted on Facebook.

Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been in custody under the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as his legal team works to meet the stringent GH₵50 million bail conditions.

Wontumi was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 27, following a summons by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. He is currently being held by EOCO over allegations of financial misconduct linked to transactions involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIMBANK).

So far, his lawyers have managed to secure one surety and are actively seeking a second to fully satisfy the bail requirements.

There were rumors that former Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong might act as a surety; however, sources close to the case have confirmed that he is not involved in the bail arrangement, despite his public offers to assist Wontumi.

The case has attracted nationwide attention as EOCO investigates what has been described as suspicious financial activities. While many details remain confidential, the probe is believed to concern transactions that could impact public funds and governance integrity.

Wontumi’s ongoing detention has sparked political controversy, with his supporters demanding his release.

Parliament witnessed a dramatic protest on Thursday as the Minority caucus staged a walkout in objection to the continued detention of Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The walkout followed the failure of Wontumi’s legal team to meet the stringent conditions of a GHS50 million bail imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the MPs marched to the EOCO premises to protest and show solidarity with Chairman Wontumi.

They sat on the floor of the EOCO compound in a symbolic act of protest but failed to achieve their demand, eventually returning to Parliament.

The Minority strongly condemned what they described as a calculated attempt by President John Mahama to intimidate members of the NPP, particularly in the Ashanti Region, following the arrest and detention of the party’s regional chairman.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the Minority on Wednesday, May 28, at the EOCO premises, the MP for Nsawam Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, declared that the actions of the current administration were unacceptable and amounted to political witch-hunting.

“This is a clear plot by Mahama to instill fear in the NPP, especially in the Ashanti Region,” he said.

“If we don’t hear anything positive by tomorrow, we will spit red saliva at Mahama. This is not why he was voted for.”

Annoh-Dompreh added that, unlike the current administration, the NPP never subjected members of the NDC to such treatment when it was in power.

“We never treated NDC members this way. This level of oppression is unheard of,” he stated.