GH¢50 million bail is unreasonable and outrageous - Afenyo-Markin
By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says the GH¢50 million bail set for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as Chairman Wontumi, is unfair, unreasonable, and too harsh.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Thursday May 29, 2025, Mr Afenyo-Markin strongly criticised the conditions under which Chairman Wontumi was arrested and detained.
He called on EOCO to release Wontumi on self-recognisance bail, saying there is no reason to believe he would run away.
“Wontumi must be freed now. He is not going to run away. He will make himself available. He should be admitted to self-recognisance bail,” the Minority Leader said. “That so-called GH¢50 million bail justification is unreasonable and outrageous.”
Chairman Wontumi has been in EOCO custody since May 27. His arrest is linked to investigations into alleged financial issues involving
EXIMBANK. EOCO is demanding two sureties and a GH¢50 million bail amount for his release—conditions that have caused concern among his supporters.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also condemned the manner in which Wontumi was arrested, describing it as aggressive and unnecessary.
“That man was not invited. They used ‘Rambo style’ to arrest him, and you take him into custody,” he said.
The Minority Leader led a group of opposition MPs to EOCO to show support for Chairman Wontumi and to push for his immediate release on more reasonable terms.
