NPP should avoid lawlessness and use the court – law professor

A law professor at the University of Ghana has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for resorting to street protests over the bail conditions of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, describing their actions as an unnecessary display when proper legal channels were available.

Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, an Associate Professor at the Law Faculty of University of Ghana, said in a television discussion programme on Channel  One TV on Saturday, (May 31, 2025) that the NPP’s decision to march from Parliament to the EOCO headquarters amounted to an overreach that encouraged avoidable lawlessness.

“The NPP’s actions, leaving Parliament to stage a protest on the police premises, were unnecessary and created drama. This led to lawlessness,” Prof Appiagyei-Atua stated during the television discussion programme.

He explained that while bail was a constitutional right, the EOCO acted within the law by imposing the GH¢50 million bail condition on Mr Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The party chairman has been arrested over alleged money laundering, fraud and causing financial loss to the state.

“Given the nature of the allegations, the GH¢50 million bail condition does not strike me as excessive. Legally, EOCO acted within their authority,” Prof Appiagyei-Atua said.

He noted that there were clear legal avenues available to anyone who considered bail conditions to be too harsh.

“If the bail terms are thought to be too stringent, the proper legal step is to apply to the High Court for a variation. That’s the course Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s lawyers should have taken,” he said.

Prof. Appiagyei-Atua added that it was particularly concerning because many of the NPP Members of Parliament who took part in the protest were themselves lawyers.

“The MPs, many of whom are lawyers, are familiar with legal procedures and have followed them before. Opting for this extralegal approach suggests an intention to politicise the matter,” he remarked.

Although he condemned what he termed a “Rambo-style” arrest of the party chairman, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua maintained that the subsequent bail process was consistent with the law.

He said bail conditions were generally determined by assessing several factors, such as the risk of flight, likelihood of reoffending, potential interference with investigations, and the seriousness of the alleged offence.

He suggested that the NPP’s response reflected their adjustment difficulties following their transition from government to opposition.

“It appears the NPP is still grappling with the reality of being out of power. They seem intent on showing their supporters that they stand by their own, especially a prominent figure like Mr Antwi-Boasiako,” Prof. Appiagyei-Atua observed.

He urged political actors to adopt more measured responses that blend legal processes with political engagement, without losing control of the situation.

“They should have pursued legal and political strategies in balance, rather than letting things spiral,” he advised.

The controversy followed the arrest of Mr Antwi-Boasiako over alleged involvement in money laundering.

Prof. Appiagyei-Atua also stressed the principle of equality before the law in Ghana’s democratic system. 

“The law is no respecter of persons. It must apply to everyone, regardless of political party or position,” he said.