The Minority Caucus of the House have staged a walkout in Parliament over the arrest and detention of Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, by EOCO.
Before the walkout, the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, lambasted the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for illegally detaining Chairman Wontumi, who he said is unwell.
He accused EOCO of deliberately setting an illegal bail of GH¢50 million to keep him in their custody.
He went on to demand that Wontumi be granted bail; adding that until he is released by EOCO, the Minority Caucus would be boycotting the proceedings of the House to join him at EOCO.
“If the state is minded, do your interrogation, grant him bail, self-recognisance to enable him come. Because the man is a chairman of a non-political party who is always available. If, as it were, Chairman Wontumi was granted bail and he abused the terms of the bail, then you can now demand justification.
“Mr. Speaker, I must argue one more time that EOCO cannot arrogate the power of demanding justification at the inquiry level. You are doing investigation. The matter is not before a court for trial. And then you make the bail condition so onerous,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin added, “It is clear that this is being used to punish him. And I expect my colleagues in this House to put aside your partisan colours.”
After his remarks, the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, asserted that the right place to challenge the action of EOCO was the courts.
As Ahiafor was speaking, all the members of the Minority Caucus, led by Afenyo-Markin, started walking off the floor.
Chairman Wontumi was arrested and detained by EOCO after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
He was granted bail set at GH¢50 million with two sureties, both to be justified, after hours of interrogation.
Initial reports indicated that he was unable to meet the bail conditions, resulting in an extended stay in EOCO custody for an additional night.
Bernard Antwi Boasiako is the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman.
However, Accra-based JoyNews reports that the politician has, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, managed to secure one surety, with only one remaining to fully satisfy the bail requirements.
