The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has advised the Minority in Parliament to seek legal recourse concerning the bail conditions of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Despite being granted bail of GHC 50 million with two sureties, Chairman Wontumi remains in the custody of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) as he has yet to fulfill the requirements for the sureties.
In protest against what the Minority has labelled as ‘unfair’ bail terms, they staged a walkout in Parliament. Later, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, they organised a sit-down protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The Minority alleges that the investigative body is exhibiting unfair treatment and political bias. According to Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai, Chairman Wontumi has been arrested on charges of fraud, money laundering, and involvement in organised crime.
Speaking ahead of the walkout, the Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin asked the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to immediately revoke the 50 million Cedis bail imposed on Chairman Wontumi. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he said the bail condition is just to punish him. He also appealed to the Majority in Parliament to stand in solidarity.
“I pray that my colleagues on the opposite side will support this, so that with one voice, EOCO will know that when it came to this matter — Chairman Wontumi — Parliament stood united in demanding fairness,” Afenyo-Markin said.
However, First Deputy Speaker Ahiafor denounced the request of the Minority, stressing that Parliament does not have the authority to intervene in EOCO’s bail condition. “I believe this is a matter that can adequately be addressed by the judiciary. For me, if a decision of an institution can be challenged at the court, if a security agency slaps a bail condition that you feel that it is hard, I do not think Parliament has the authority to call for a review of that particular decision,” he stated.
Ahiafor demanded that due process be followed in order to settle the issue and underlined the significance of upholding institutional boundaries.
By: Raphael Ghartey
