In a significant development, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, commonly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) after successfully meeting his bail conditions. His release was confirmed by his attorney, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who spoke to the media outside the EOCO’s premises on Monday, June 2.
The atmosphere outside the EOCO was charged with excitement as Wontumi emerged. Supporters of the NPP cheered and chanted their party slogans, celebrating the release of their beleaguered leader. Appiah-Kubi, standing beside Wontumi, assured reporters that all stipulations for bail had been fulfilled, allowing his client to walk free after his recent arrest on May 27.
Chairman Wontumi’s bail was set at an impressive GH₵50 million, with the requirement of two sureties to be verified. Despite his release, it is important to note that Wontumi has not yet been formally charged with any offenses. However, Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai made headlines with a Facebook post detailing that Chairman Wontumi is currently under investigation for a range of serious allegations, including money laundering, fraud, and causing financial loss to the state.
You May Also Like
Justice Srem Sai emphasized the ongoing nature of this investigation, indicating that it encompasses asset recovery efforts to safeguard against the possible dissipating of funds suspected to be derived from illicit activities. Furthermore, he revealed that Wontumi’s case is part of a broader international organized crime initiative, with EOCO collaborating closely with international law enforcement agencies to navigate this complex web of inquiries.
As the situation develops, the political landscape in Ghana is closely watching the ramifications of this investigation on Wontumi’s political future and the NPP’s standing in the region. The implications of these investigations could resonate beyond just the legal realm, potentially influencing the party’s dynamics and its supporters’ sentiments in the lead-up to future elections.