The Minority in Parliament, together with several prominent officials from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), marched to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters to seek the release of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
Led by Minority Leader and Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the group challenged Chairman Wontumi’s extended arrest, calling it unjust and politically motivated.
Wontumi was arrested by EOCO on Tuesday, May 27, immediately after accepting an invitation from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He remains in detention for failing to meet his bail conditions of GH₵50 million with two justifiable sureties, despite indications of ill health.
According to sources, EOCO is looking into him in connection with alleged financial transactions involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM).
During the rally, Mr Afenyo-Markin described the bail conditions as unreasonable and unfair.
“We don’t have GH₵50 million in properties. “Where is he going to get it from?” he asked.
The Minority Leader has pledged to lead a boycott of parliamentary proceedings unless EOCO evaluates and softens the bail conditions for Wontumi’s release.
“Until EOCO can do the right thing, we, the NPP, will protest by leaving Parliament and joining him. “We’re all going to sleep there with him,” he announced.
Afenyo-Markin asked politicians to work together to defend fundamental rights.
“I pray that my colleagues will support so that with one voice EOCO will know that when it got to this matter of Chairman Wontumi, Parliament was united,” according to him.
The group’s visit to EOCO occurred shortly after Minority MPs staged a symbolic walkout in Parliament, chanting verses from the national anthem: “And help us to resist oppressors’ rule with all our will and might forevermore.”
