Chairman Wontumi granted a GHC 50m bail

Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has been granted bail. The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) released him after hours of questioning in Accra.

His bail is set at GH¢50 million. He must provide two sureties who will be justified, according to his lawyer, Andy Appiah Kubi. This police enquiry bail allows his temporary release while investigations continue.

Wontumi was previously invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He faces allegations of illegal mining activities and causing financial loss to the state. These include operating without a license and damaging water bodies and forest reserves.

After meeting with the CID, EOCO officials took him for further questioning. His lawyer confirmed that Wontumi is cooperating with officers to meet bail conditions. He reportedly fell ill during the lengthy interrogation.

In related news, Oheneba Antwi Boasiako, Wontumi's brother, expressed concerns about his arrest. He described it as unnecessarily dramatic by EOCO.

Oheneba recounted the events in a statement. They had just finished a brief session with the CID around 3 pm. Shortly after leaving the CID office, armed men surrounded them in five cars.

These men claimed they were instructed to take Chairman Wontumi into custody. Oheneba was shocked by how EOCO handled the situation. He felt their approach lacked courtesy and ignored individual rights.

He wanted to accompany his brother but was denied access by EOCO officers.