Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has issued a compelling request to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for the release of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—commonly referred to as Chairman Wontumi—on self-recognisance bail.
Accompanying leading Minority MPs to EOCO to show support for Wontumi on Thursday, Afenyo-Markin condemned the circumstances surrounding Wontumi’s arrest and criticized the bail conditions set by EOCO, labeling them as excessive and unwarranted.
“Wontumi must be released immediately. He is not a flight risk. He will present himself as required. He should be granted self-recognizance bail,” he stated. “The justification for the so-called GHS50 million bail is unreasonable and outrageous.”
Wontumi has been held in EOCO custody since May 27 following his arrest related to ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct involving EXIMBANK. The bail requirements, which stipulate two sureties and a total amount of GHS50 million, have raised significant concern among his supporters and political associates.
Afenyo-Markin further criticized the tactics employed by law enforcement during Wontumi’s arrest, comparing it to a military-style operation.
“That man was not summoned. They utilized a ‘Rambo style’ approach to apprehend him, and then you take him into custody,” he remarked.
