Chairman Wontumi has been denied access to his family – Lawyer

Andy Appiah-Kubi, lawyer for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, says officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have denied Wontumi’s family access to him while in detention.

In an interview on JoyNews on Friday, May 30, 2025, Appiah-Kubi stated that Wontumi’s rights have been violated. He revealed that even as his legal representative, he must file an application for EOCO’s approval before seeing his client.

“That is true because for me as a lawyer, I need to apply for the application to be approved before I can see him and even, I have to be led by an official from EOCO. So I don’t think the family of my client is even given such an application,” he said.

Appiah-Kubi added that Wontumi has been stripped of his phones and has no means of communication. “Yes, I think this is a violation because I would have thought that he would have been given access to his family,” he said.

Wontumi Bail

Wontumi has been granted bail of GHC50 million with two sureties, both to be justified. His lawyer and members of the Minority Caucus have described the conditions as unfair and have filed for a variation in court.

Appiah-Kubi confirmed that the legal team is working to secure the second surety. “I know for a fact that I have the first surety and the second surety is also preparing… we are hoping to file both before the close of the day,” he said.

He emphasized that the bail terms were harsh. “All of us believe that the GHC50 million and the sureties and justification was most difficult and unfair… As we speak now, we have filed this application in the court,” he added.

Chairman Wontumi has since been moved from EOCO’s custody to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).