Wontumi meets EOCO’s GH₵50m bail conditions

The legal team of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has confirmed that all bail conditions set by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) have been fully satisfied.

This confirmation came on Friday, May 30, 2025, during an exclusive interview with JoyNews. Lead lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi disclosed that the final documentation for the two sureties—required for Wontumi’s GH₵50 million bail—had been completed. He also thanked former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, for stepping in to assist at a crucial time.

Bryan Acheampong Comes to Wontumi’s Rescue

Speaking in a calm but firm tone, Appiah-Kubi said:

“We have been able to provide the sureties, that one, I can assure you, and I’m very grateful to Honourable Bryan Acheampong, who has supported me to file the documents.”

He added,

“He has brought his documents, which go over and above the value of money that is required. So I thank you very much.”

This revelation comes as a big relief to supporters of Chairman Wontumi, who had been anxiously waiting for a breakthrough after days of uncertainty. The bail requirement had been one of the major obstacles preventing the release of the embattled NPP chairman, who was arrested earlier that week.

Wontumi’s Arrest and Bail Conditions

Chairman Wontumi was arrested by EOCO on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, over allegations involving fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. These are serious offences that fall under Ghana’s economic and organised crime laws.

After his arrest, EOCO granted him bail with very tough conditions: GH₵50 million with two sureties, and both sureties had to be justified, meaning they had to prove that they owned properties worth that amount or more.

Until Friday, May 30, Wontumi’s legal team had only been able to secure one of the two required sureties. The breakthrough came just before the weekend, with Bryan Acheampong stepping in to offer documents that more than covered the required value.

New Legal Application Stalls Wontumi’s Release

Just when it seemed like Wontumi would walk out of EOCO custody, his lawyer dropped another surprising update. A new legal application—filed by unknown individuals—has suddenly blocked his release.

“My client is not going home tonight. We encountered a challenge that needs to be addressed before we can go forward,” Appiah-Kubi said.

He explained that this new court application was filed without his knowledge and is designed to delay or frustrate the bail process.

“Unknown to me, there was an application to frustrate what we are doing, so we will deal with it on Monday. It is an application that was not filed by my good self, but that prohibits us,” he stressed.

This unexpected legal twist means that Wontumi will remain in EOCO custody at least until Monday, June 2, when his lawyers can go back to court to address the matter.

EOCO Officers Ready to Inspect Properties—But Legal Block Prevents It

As part of the bail process, EOCO officers had arranged to inspect the properties provided by the sureties to ensure they meet the value required by law.

Appiah-Kubi said all officers were on standby and ready to move for the inspection on Friday evening. However, due to the legal application filed that day, EOCO cannot proceed with the inspection until the matter is cleared in court.

“They had agreed to do the inspection tonight, so all the officers are there, but the challenge that I faced is legal. We can’t do it,” he explained.

This has added more frustration to an already tense and politically charged situation.

Clarification on Wontumi’s Whereabouts and Health

There has been a lot of confusion and speculation regarding where Wontumi is being kept and how he is feeling. Some public figures, including Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had claimed that they didn’t know his exact location.

However, Appiah-Kubi clarified everything. He said that Wontumi is still in EOCO custody, and he is being well taken care of. The lawyer dismissed rumours that Wontumi was on hunger strike or facing serious health challenges.

“I told you that his condition of health requires attention. So he’s receiving attention, and there’s nothing to worry about in respect of his health,” he reassured Ghanaians.

Failed Meeting with Former Vice President Dr. Bawumia

According to Appiah-Kubi, there had been plans for Wontumi to meet with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who had visited the EOCO premises earlier to show solidarity.

Unfortunately, due to the huge crowd, tight security, and Wontumi’s health needs, they had to cancel the meeting at the last minute.

“We had brought him to meet with the former Vice President, but the situation we saw was difficult—to arrange this meeting, to pass through the crowd, to get the Vice President to see him and talk to him. So we had to take him back,” Appiah-Kubi said.

Political and Public Pressure Continues to Mount

Wontumi’s arrest has caused a major political storm across the country. Many of his supporters have described the charges as politically motivated. Large crowds of NPP supporters have been gathering at EOCO and National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters, demanding his release.

Big names in the NPP, including Dr. Bawumia, National Chairman Stephen Ntim, and General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, have visited him to show support. Their presence speaks volumes about how serious the situation is.

On social media and in radio discussions across Ghana, Wontumi’s arrest remains a top trending topic.

Hope for Release by Monday

Despite the legal hiccups, Wontumi’s legal team is still hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon. Appiah-Kubi remains optimistic that once the unexpected court matter is cleared, nothing will stop Wontumi from being released on Monday, June 2.

“We will go to court on Monday. Once that matter is resolved, there will be no reason to hold him any longer,” he stated.

Conclusion: The Wait Continues

For now, all eyes are on the courts. Chairman Wontumi has met the bail conditions, but his freedom is still being held back by fresh legal developments. Whether this is part of a bigger political game or just a legal technicality, one thing is clear—this case is far from over.

Ghanaians will be watching closely come Monday to see whether Chairman Wontumi finally walks out of EOCO custody or whether more drama awaits.