There was a massive jubilation following the release of NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako affectionately referred to as Wontumi.
With a chanting crowd full of party enthusiast and well-wishers, including notable figures such as MP for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong and the General Secretary for the NPP, Lawyer Justin Koduah Frimpong.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, JFK revealed that Wontumi has been released and sent home from EOCO’s Custody while expressing his heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Bryan Acheampong and the party supporters who had mounted solidarity throughout the day to ensure the embattled Regional Chairman gains his freedom.
“Wontumi is not here, he’s gone. He’s on his way home. I thank all of you for your relentless efforts in making sure you solidify with him and the party in these hard times but then, we shall not relent, we will show them that we have the legal brains. However possible, we shall communicate with you our next line of action. Lemme also express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Bryan Acheampong, he’s done so well“, JFK said while shaking the shoulders of the affable Bryan Acheampong.
Facts of the matter
Wontumi had on today, June 2, formally laid off his legal challenge against the bail conditions imposed on him by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Wontumi, who was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and subsequently intercepted by EOCO after being given bail by the CID had filed a motion at the Accra High Court seeking a review of the GH₵50 million bail requirement and its accompanying sureties.
The bail, granted on Wednesday, May 28, included a stipulation for two justified sureties with assets equivalent to the bail amount – a condition his legal team deemed excessive and aimed at frustrating his release.
The motion, initially filed by Marfo & Associates on May 30, 2025, was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, June 3.
It sought the court’s intervention to amend the bail terms, describing them as unduly restrictive and inhibiting the applicant’s liberty.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Wontumi’s lawyers issued a formal notice to both the Attorney General and EOCO ahead of the court hearing, indicating their decision to discontinue the application.
The withdrawal notice reads: “Take notice that the applicant herein hereby wholly discontinues the application against the respondents.”
Wontumi’s bail was largely made successful through the benevolence of the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong who had secured him the ¢50m bail conditions placed on by EOCO.
Securing of bail conditions
In a video intercepted by Republic Online, Lawyer for Wontumi, Andy Appiah Kubi Esq, admitted that Dr. Bryan Acheampong had provided all the necessary documents and that the EOCO was verifying the procedure.
“He’s wholly good, he’s very healthy and nothing to worry about in respect to his health. We have been able to secure the sureties, that one I can assure you and I’m very grateful to Dr. Bryan Acheampong who has supported me to file the documents, he has brought his documents which even goes over and above the value of money that is required so I thank him very much”, the counsel stated.
Charges against Wontumi
According to a post shared by the Deputy Attorney General and minister for Justice, Justice Srem Sai on his X account on Thursday , May 29, the criminal investigation was running concurrently with asset recovery processes – to prevent further dissipation of what law enforcement agencies strongly suspect to be proceeds of crime.
“The suspect is also under a second strand of investigation which is part of a lager international organised crime scheme. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is assiduously working with our international law enforcement partners on this second strand of criminal investigations“, parts of the post said.
