HOT AUDIO: If Wontumi is not released by 6pm, there will be chaos – NPP MP warns
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has sent a strong and emotional warning to the security agencies and the John Mahama-led government, saying that if the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, is not released by 6pm on Friday, May 30, 2025, the country should expect serious unrest.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s afternoon political show, Ekosii Sen, the MP didn’t mince words. He stated boldly:
“If by 6pm Friday, they fail to release Chairman Wontumi, you will see what will happen in this country—things will escalate and create problems.”
His comment comes at a time when tensions are already high following the controversial arrest and continued detention of Wontumi by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The Arrest and Controversy
Chairman Wontumi was arrested on Tuesday, May 27, shortly after honouring an invitation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at their headquarters in Accra. But just when many thought the issue had ended, EOCO stepped in and picked him up again, citing ongoing investigations into fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.
On Wednesday, May 28, EOCO officially granted him bail in the sum of GH₵50 million with two justified sureties. However, as of Friday evening, Wontumi was still behind bars. Reports say that even though one surety was secured, the second surety was withheld due to legal complications, and some individuals who initially agreed to help later backed out after their names were revealed publicly.
MP Michael Okyere Baafi: A Voice of Frustration
Clearly frustrated by the delay in Wontumi’s release, Hon. Okyere Baafi said it is unacceptable for state institutions to treat a key political figure like Wontumi with what he described as disrespect and injustice. According to him, Ghana is a country of laws, and the constitution provides clear directions on how suspects must be treated.
“We have laws in this country that guide what to do when a suspect is arrested. The person must be taken to court and due process followed. We cannot allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” he stressed.
But it was his next statement that caught the attention of many Ghanaians:
“We are ready to die for this country. If the security services want to pick me up for saying this, so be it. We want them to kill all of us if that’s what it takes to protect the democracy of this country. And that is what we will do.”
A Warning or a Threat?
Some political analysts say the MP’s words may be seen as a warning, while others feel it borders on a threat to national security. But for Mr. Baafi, he believes enough is enough, and the time has come for NPP members to stand firm and defend their own.
He hinted that there are many loyal members of the NPP—both inside and outside Parliament—who are prepared to sacrifice everything, including their lives, to defend democracy and fairness.
“Some of us have made serious preparations, and we are ready for whatever comes. If Chairman Wontumi is not released by the evening, don’t blame us for what happens next,” he added.
Health Concerns and Bail Delays
Sources close to Wontumi’s legal team say the Ashanti Regional Chairman has been struggling with ill health since his arrest, and the conditions in custody are not ideal for someone with his medical history.
His lawyer, Hon. Andy Appiah-Kubi, who is also an MP, confirmed that the bail conditions have been difficult to meet, mainly because individuals who offered to stand as sureties pulled out after their names were disclosed.
“Some people were ready to help, but after their names became public, they became afraid and withdrew. That’s one of the reasons we’re having trouble,” Appiah-Kubi explained in an earlier interview.
The lawyer also revealed that former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, offered substantial support in submitting documentation for one of the sureties.
But just when it looked like things were moving smoothly, a new legal application was filed in court, which prevented EOCO from continuing with the property inspections needed to validate the sureties. This unexpected court move has effectively stalled Wontumi’s release.