Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is currently at the center of a significant legal and political controversy following his arrest and the subsequent challenges surrounding his GH¢50 million bail. Wontumi is under investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for serious allegations, including money laundering, fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and connections to international organized crime. He was arrested on May 27 and granted bail on May 28, but his release has been fraught with complications.

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has weighed in on the situation, asserting that any bail review initiated in court should not obstruct the execution of bail once the conditions have been met. Speaking on May 31, Mr. Kpebu stated that such a review does not constitute sufficient grounds to detain Chairman Wontumi further, provided EOCO is satisfied with the documentation and sureties submitted. "That process that has been filed in court, I don’t see how it can prevent the release of Chairman Wontumi, if only EOCO is satisfied with the properties that have been produced to them—that is, the document and everything given to them," Kpebu explained.

Mr. Kpebu also urged the NPP to manage the situation with greater care, cautioning that the prevailing confusion surrounding the process could undermine legal clarity and institutional trust. "There is something—I think the NPP needs to take their time and sanitize this situation. It doesn’t look tidy," he added, highlighting the need for a more coherent approach from the party.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail to the tune of GH¢50 million with two justified sureties. His legal team, led by Andy Appiah-Kubi, initially indicated on Friday, May 30, that all requirements for the bail had been fulfilled. However, Wontumi's release did not immediately follow. Reports later suggested that a key reason for his continued detention was that his legal team had only been able to provide one of the two justified sureties required by the court to its satisfaction.

Adding to the complexity, a fresh legal challenge was also cited as a factor delaying his release. Mr. Appiah-Kubi acknowledged some difficulties, stating, "We encountered some difficulties which will be sorted out on Monday, June 2. We will work towards the desired results. I will stay out of politics and the theatrics and do what is within the law." This statement suggests ongoing efforts to meet all necessary conditions.

Meanwhile, Prof Ransford Gyampo, Acting CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, offered a different perspective on the bail conditions. He dismissed claims that the GH¢50 million bail is excessive or unattainable for the ruling NPP. Prof Gyampo suggested that members of the NPP possess the means to meet the bail conditions but are hesitant to commit their personal assets. "Are we to be fooled into believing that the GH¢50 million bail is too much for the NPP to meet? They are just afraid of using their properties to bail Wontumi. They think we don’t know what they have?” he remarked, questioning the party's willingness to support their regional chairman.

The situation has indeed ignited political tensions. Supporters of Chairman Wontumi have staged protests, and prominent party figures, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, have described the bail amount as "unrealistic." In contrast, EOCO has maintained that the bail sum is fair and commensurate with the seriousness of the charges leveled against Wontumi.

As the investigation by EOCO continues, the case of Chairman Wontumi remains a focal point of legal and political debate. The differing accounts regarding the fulfillment of bail conditions, coupled with commentary on the NPP's internal dynamics and EOCO's stance, contribute to a complex and evolving situation that continues to fuel tensions within the New Patriotic Party and broader public discourse.