The legal saga surrounding Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has taken a new turn. Initially arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on suspicions of fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes, Wontumi was granted bail set at GH₵50 million with two justified sureties. While his legal team, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, successfully secured the necessary sureties, a fresh legal complication has emerged, preventing his immediate release.
The bail conditions, which initially proved challenging to meet, were finally fulfilled thanks to significant support from Bryan Acheampong, the former Minister for Food and Agriculture. Acheampong provided the required documentation for one of the sureties, exceeding the stipulated financial value. Counsel Appiah-Kubi expressed gratitude for Acheampong’s assistance, confirming that all necessary paperwork for both sureties was completed, thus satisfying the initial bail requirements. This development marked a significant step forward in what had been a protracted process to secure Wontumi’s release.
However, a new legal hurdle has emerged, effectively halting Wontumi’s release. An undisclosed legal application filed on Friday, May 30, has created a legal impediment. Appiah-Kubi revealed that this unforeseen application was not filed by his team and acts as a barrier to Wontumi’s release. Though the specifics of this application remain undisclosed, it has significantly impacted the planned release procedure. While EOCO officers were prepared to conduct the necessary inspection of properties listed by the sureties, the new legal application legally prevents them from proceeding until the matter is resolved in court.
This recent development contradicts earlier assertions by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had expressed uncertainty about Wontumi’s whereabouts. Appiah-Kubi clarified the situation, explaining that while attempts were made to arrange a meeting between Wontumi and the former Vice President, the logistical challenges and Wontumi’s health condition necessitated his return to a place where he could receive appropriate medical attention. This directly refutes rumors of Wontumi engaging in a hunger strike and assures the public that his well-being is being addressed.
The legal team is now focused on addressing this new legal obstacle. Appiah-Kubi stated that they are working diligently to resolve the court matter and expressed hope that the issue could be resolved by Monday, June 2. This optimistic outlook suggests that Wontumi’s release might be imminent, pending a favorable outcome in the pending court proceedings. The lawyer emphasized that once the legal hurdles are cleared, there should be no further impediments to Wontumi’s release.
The case of Chairman Wontumi underscores the complexities of the legal process. While the fulfillment of bail conditions is a significant step towards release, unforeseen legal challenges can arise, creating further delays. The ongoing situation highlights the importance of navigating legal procedures meticulously and the potential for unexpected developments to impact the outcome, even after apparent progress has been made. The coming days will be crucial in determining the next chapter in this unfolding legal drama.
