Chairman Wontumi still in custody over failure to execute bail bond
More than 24-hours after securing bail pending investigations, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, aka Chairman Wontumi, is still in custody.
This is because Chairman Wontumi, who is being investigated on suspicion of willfully causing financial loss to the state, has not been able to execute the GH¢50 million bail bond granted to him by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified.
Confirming the status of the bail execution to the Daily Graphic, Chairman Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi, said they were still working to execute the bail bond which required two sureties with justification.
He is to get at most two people to present documents, either bank statements or proof of title of landed properties, worth the bail bond.
This is to assure EOCO that he will avail himself for investigations.
In the event that he jumps bail, the sureties will forfeit the bail bond to the state.
He added that hopefully by today, they would be able to execute the bail.
Asked whether they were open to filing an application for bail variation, counsel said that was not an option on the table, saying he was optimistic that the bail would be executed today.
Minority
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus led by its leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, walked out of Parliament and trekked to the EOCO headquarters on the Highstreet where the caucus blocked the main road at the EOCO office, calling for the release of Chairman Wontumi.
This has led to a heavy gridlock on Independence Link.
The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, said the bail bond was set deliberately high to punish the suspect.
“If there are genuine concerns to be investigated, let them be pursued with fairness, with transparency, and with dignity.
But what we witnessed was none of that.
What we witnessed was the abuse of the law by those entrusted to uphold it.
What we witnessed was a shameful chapter in our democratic journey - one that we must resist, reject, and remember,” the Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam said.
“The Minority in Parliament stands united, resolute, and unafraid. We will continue to speak truth to power.
We will continue to walk the path of justice - no matter the cost.
Because we believe that Ghana must never be a country where political differences are punished with persecution; where opposition is met with oppression; where speaking out means being dragged,” he added.
The MPs, also joined by some party executive and some members, sat on the pavements around the precincts of EOCO head office and said they would stay around until the bail bond was varied downwards.
