Wontumi finally released by EOCO after satisfying bail conditions

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from EOCO custody.

He was released after meeting his bail conditions. NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua confirmed this on Monday evening, June 2.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested by EOCO after visiting the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on May 27. He received a bail of GH₵50 million with two sureties on May 28. However, his legal team initially did not meet all the required conditions for his release.

Gary Nimako Marfo, the NPP's Director of Legal Affairs, withdrew an application to change Wontumi's bail conditions. This motion was filed at the High Court in Accra on May 30 and scheduled for hearing on June 3.

On June 2, Wontumi’s legal team withdrew their application after facing delays in his release. They stated that a new legal application had been filed unexpectedly, which complicated matters.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, announced that Wontumi is under investigation for fraud and money laundering. He is also being investigated for involvement in an international organized crime scheme.

Justice Srem-Sai noted that EOCO is working with international law enforcement partners on these investigations. Asset recovery efforts are already underway to secure any suspected proceeds of crime.