I can’t wrap my head around how anyone in their right mind could claim a GHS50 million bail is outrageous for a man allegedly sitting on over 458 billion cedis of taxpayers’ money. Honestly, what are these people drinking?

Let’s set the record straight. This isn’t the first time a suspect has faced what some call a “harsh” bail condition. Back in 2012, Alfred Agbesi Woyome was slapped with a GHS54 million bail because he was accused of swindling just over 50 million cedis. His party didn’t throw a pity party in a lagoon — they rallied and met the bail.

In 2019, Ato Essien and three others were granted a whopping GHS675 million bail in the Capital Bank scandal. Again, no one screamed unfair.

Come 2020, Kofi Amoabeng of UT Bank fame was granted GHS110 million bail — and guess what? His family and church didn’t start a crusade; they worked within the law and got him out.

Fast forward to 2023: Nana Appiah Mensah of Menzgold was handed a mind-boggling GHS500 million bail, after his cars, gold, and cash were confiscated.

Even Dr Kwabena Duffuor had to cough up GHS65 million from an initial GHS100 million bail!

So why all this fuss over Wontumi? In fact, the GHS50 million slapped on him is probably the softest bail condition yet for someone accused of siphoning over GHS458,071,207,100.48 — if the dollar is going at 10.13.

Raymond Archer and his team deserve applause, not condemnation. They’re just doing what’s right: demanding accountability for the country’s money. Let’s keep it real.

By Charles McCarthy