Former prosecutor criticizes Wontumi’s legal team over GH¢50 million bail dispute

Former State Prosecutor Augustine Obour has criticized the legal strategy of Bernard Antwi Boasiako. He is the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and is known as Chairman Wontumi. This criticism comes after a GH¢50 million bail condition was imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

On Joy FM’s News Night, Mr. Obour argued against public protests. He believes Wontumi’s lawyers and Minority Members of Parliament should have sought legal recourse instead. They could have applied to the court for a change in bail terms.

“At the beginning, they could have gone to court for bail,” he said. “They could have asked for a variation, which might lead to a more manageable bail condition.”

Mr. Obour emphasized that Wontumi is still a suspect and has not been formally charged. Therefore, seeking judicial intervention is appropriate.

He explained that if EOCO grants bail but the accused cannot meet the conditions, they must go to court within 48 hours. The judge will then determine suitable bail terms.

“The law states that if you cannot release someone on bail within 48 hours, you must take them to court,” he noted. “If the GH¢50 million bail cannot be secured, then the suspect must be brought before a judge.”

He concluded by saying that instead of protests and demonstrations, they should have filed documents in court for a variation. This would have been simpler and more lawful.