The legal team representing Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the influential Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), announced Friday it had met the stringent bail requirements imposed by the country’s anti-corruption watchdog. However, a last-minute court motion is delaying his release.
Mr. Boasiako, widely known by his political moniker “Chairman Wontumi,” had been granted bail earlier this week by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in the amount of 50 million Ghanaian cedis (approximately $3.9 million), with two justified sureties.
Lead defense counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi confirmed that the bail conditions had been fulfilled, crediting the assistance of former Agriculture Minister and Abetifi Member of Parliament Bryan Acheampong, who provided the documentation necessary to secure the bond.
“We have been able to provide the sureties. That one, I can assure you,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi told reporters. “I am very grateful to Honourable Bryan Acheampong, who has supported me in providing the documents. He has brought documents that are over and above the value of the money required.”
Despite satisfying EOCO’s bail terms, Mr. Boasiako remains in custody. A previously undisclosed motion filed in Accra’s High Court by the legal firm Marfo & Associates appears to be the cause of the delay. According to Mr. Appiah-Kubi, he was unaware of the filing until after the bail process had been completed.
“Unknown to me, an application was filed that prohibits us from securing his release,” he said.
The motion, whose full contents have not yet been disclosed, reportedly seeks a judicial review of the bail conditions. Legal analysts suggest the application could potentially suspend or amend EOCO’s terms, leaving Mr. Boasiako’s legal status in limbo for several more days.
Mr. Boasiako’s arrest followed questioning by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on May 27. He was later transferred to EOCO for further interrogation regarding allegations of financial misconduct and suspected links to state-related financial losses.
The case has garnered widespread political and public attention in Ghana. Senior NPP figures, including former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Parliamentary Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, have visited the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) facility where Mr. Boasiako is being held.
“He is good, he is healthy, and there is nothing to worry about,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi said, attempting to reassure party supporters amid growing concerns over the Chairman’s condition.
As of Friday evening, heightened security remained in place around the NIB compound, where loyalists of the embattled party executive continued to rally.
Source:TheDotNews