By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), according to party General Secretary late Monday.
The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said Wontumi’s release became possible after his “bail conditions had been perfected.”
He confirmed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman was unwell at the time of his release so was sneaked out from the premises of EOCO to go home and have enough rest.
Kodua commended former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who provided the sureties for Chairman Wontumi’s release.
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail to the tune of GH₵50 million with two sureties to be justified following his arrest on Tuesday, May 27, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
The charges also include a potential link to a wider international organised crime syndicate, as revealed by the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai.
His release follows a period of intense legal maneuvering and political pressure by the Minority Caucus in Parliament and party faithful’s.
Initially, Wontumi’s legal team struggled to meet the hefty bail terms, leading to days in detention.
However, his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed on Friday, May 30, that the necessary documentation for both sureties had been completed, significantly aided by Bryan Acheampong, whose documents reportedly “go over and above the value of money that is required”.
Despite meeting the bail conditions on Friday, Wontumi’s release was delayed by an unexpected “legal challenge” – an application filed to seek a review of the bail conditions.
His lawyers were optimistic this hurdle would be cleared by Monday, June 2.
The application has since been withdrawn to pave the way for his release.
Throughout his detention, the case garnered significant political attention, with NPP Members of Parliament and party executives, along with many supporters, staging protests and demanding his release, describing the bail conditions as excessive and politically motivated. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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