Martin Kpebu ‘chases’ EOCO boss on Wontumi’s case
Popular Ghanaian lawyer and social commentator, Martin Kpebu, has boldly criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for refusing to give clear information about why Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was arrested.
Kpebu, who is well-known for speaking truth to power, described EOCO’s handling of the situation as “very poor” and accused the agency of failing to be transparent with the Ghanaian public. According to him, Ghanaians deserve to know the exact charges against Wontumi, especially considering the huge public interest in the matter.
“EOCO Should Tell Ghanaians the Truth” – Kpebu
Speaking on TV3’s weekend programme, The Key Points, Martin Kpebu didn’t mince words. He pointed out that the head of EOCO, Mr. Raymond Archer, is also a journalist, so he should understand how important it is to give timely and accurate information to the public.
“By now, EOCO should have told us why Wontumi was arrested. Raymond Archer is a journalist; he knows the value of communication. Keeping quiet only feeds suspicion,” Kpebu said.
He added that EOCO’s silence is what has led to people calling the GH₵50 million bail condition “harsh” and “politically motivated.”
“The lack of information from EOCO is why people are saying the bail terms are unreasonable. If they explained the charges and gave some background, Ghanaians could judge for themselves,” he added.
Why Was Wontumi Arrested?
Although EOCO has not officially published the charges, there are strong indications that Chairman Wontumi is being investigated for serious crimes including:
Fraud
Money laundering
Causing financial loss to the state
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that Wontumi is the subject of a wide-ranging investigation that involves not only Ghanaian institutions but also international partners.
According to Dr. Srem-Sai, the criminal investigations are being carried out alongside civil efforts to recover assets. This means that while EOCO is trying to prosecute Wontumi, they are also working to retrieve any stolen or suspicious money or property before it disappears.
Even more worrying, Dr. Srem-Sai hinted that Wontumi’s case might be part of a larger international organised crime operation, making it even more sensitive and complex.
Bail Drama: Bryan Acheampong Steps In
After his arrest, Wontumi was granted bail — but it came with strict conditions:
GH₵50 million bail bond
Two sureties, and they must be justified (i.e., they must show they have the assets to cover the amount)
To help meet this, Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and Minister for Agriculture, stepped in to assist.
Acheampong reportedly provided land and property documents to cover the GH₵50 million bail amount. According to inside sources, the value of his properties exceeded the required figure.
Everything looked set for Wontumi’s release on Friday. However, at the last minute, a new legal twist came in.
New Court Application Stalls Wontumi’s Release
Just as EOCO officers were preparing to verify Bryan Acheampong’s documents to process the bail, they received notice that someone had filed a fresh application at the High Court to review or vary the bail terms.
This surprise court move meant that EOCO had to pause the verification process, because the court may change the conditions or give new instructions.
According to Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, they were shocked by the new court filing and didn’t see it coming. He said:
“We were ready. The documents were there. But then this new application came in and disrupted everything. We didn’t even know about it until Friday evening.”
The new application, seeking a review of the bail terms, was filed by lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo. Until the court hears and rules on this application, EOCO says they cannot proceed with the release.
As a result, Chairman Wontumi remains in EOCO custody.