The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has released the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after he satisfied the bail conditions set by the investigative body.
His release was confirmed by the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua, in an interview with the media on the evening of Monday, June 2, 2025. He acknowledged the support of NPP’s Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who served as one of the sureties for Wontumi’s release.
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH₵50 million with two sureties to be justified following his arrest on Tuesday, May 27. His arrest is linked to ongoing investigations into alleged fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, has indicated that the case may be connected to a broader international organised crime syndicate. It has also come to light that the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is independently preparing its own docket as part of the investigations, separate from the EOCO and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) probes.
READ: Minority Caucus Walks Out of Parliament Over Wontumi’s Detention
Wontumi’s release followed days of legal hurdles and political agitation. His legal team initially struggled to meet the stringent bail conditions, which delayed his release. However, on Friday, May 30, his lead counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that the documentation for both sureties had been completed. He added that Bryan Acheampong’s documents “go over and above the value of money that is required.”
Although the bail conditions were met on Friday, Wontumi’s release was held up by an unexpected legal challenge — an application seeking a review of the bail terms. His lawyers expressed optimism that this hurdle would be cleared by Monday, June 2.
READ: Minority MPs March to EOCO, Demand Fair Treatment for Wontumi
That application, which had been scheduled for hearing on June 3, was officially withdrawn on Monday, paving the way for Wontumi’s release.
As part of the bail terms, Chairman Wontumi is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
