The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after meeting his bail conditions.
Wontumi’s legal team on Monday, June 2, formally withdrew a motion that sought a review of his GH¢50 million bail condition. The motion, originally filed at the High Court in Accra on May 30, 2025, was slated for hearing on Tuesday, June 3. However, it was withdrawn a day earlier on Monday, June 2.
He was granted bail on Wednesday, May 28, with two justified sureties. His legal team, led by lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, confirmed that the bail conditions were fulfilled by Friday, May 30.
Despite meeting the requirements, his release was delayed due to the pending motion for bail review, which, according to his lawyers, was filed without his explicit consent.
The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua, a short while ago announced the release of the embattled NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman at the EOCO headquarters.
“I can confirm that Chairman Wontumi has been released, he’s gone home to relax, we will inform you of any new development. Let’s thank Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi for the support,” he told supporters at EOCO Monday evening.
The continued detention of Wontumi sparked political unrest. On Thursday, May 29, Minority Members of Parliament staged a walkout from Parliament and protested at EOCO headquarters, demanding his immediate release. They argued that, given his public standing and minimal flight risk, he should have been granted a self-recognizance bail.
Supporters of the NPP also took to the streets, blocking the road in front of EOCO’s office and halting vehicular movement as part of the protest.
Wontumi is expected to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations following his release after nearly a week in detention.
