Chairman Wontumi released on 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 invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over allegations of illegal mining. These include operating without a license and damaging water bodies and forest reserves. After responding to the CID’s invitation, 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.

He recounted the events in a statement. They had just finished a brief session with the CID when armed men surrounded them. “We went to the CID headquarters again today at 3 pm,” he said.

In about 15 minutes, they completed their meeting with the CID. Just as they left the office, armed men arrived in five cars. They claimed they were instructed to take Chairman Wontumi into custody.

Oheneba was shocked by how EOCO handled the situation. He felt their approach lacked basic courtesy and ignored individual rights.

“I wanted to go in there with my brother because I didn’t know where they were taking him,” he said, “but they denied me access.”