Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has accused the government of deliberately setting an impossible GH₵50 million bail condition to prevent the timely release of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking to journalists after emerging from a tense meeting at the National Investigative Bureau (NIB) building, where chaotic scenes had earlier unfolded, Mr Bawumia expressed frustration over what he described as a politically motivated obstruction of justice.
Dr Bawumia stated that the exorbitant bail sum was intentionally imposed to keep Wontumi in custody indefinitely.
“I must put on record that the bail conditions that have been set for Chairman Wontumi’s bail, 50 million Ghana cedis, is very onerous. I don’t know how many people in Ghana can have property worth 50 million Ghana cedis.”
“I believe that this was just set to prevent his timely release,” he added.
The Vice President revealed that his efforts to visit Wontumi at the NIB headquarters were thwarted due to security concerns caused by the agitated crowd outside.
While condemning the bail conditions, Bawumia urged NPP supporters to remain calm.
Dr Bawumia assured supporters that the NPP would pursue all legal avenues to challenge Wontumi’s detention and the contested bail terms.
“We are going to follow the due process, the legal process, to make sure that he is released as soon as possible.”
