Minority member of Parliament escalated their protest on Thursday, May 29, by sitting on the bare floor at the entrance of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra.
They condemned what they describe as harsh and unjust bail conditions imposed on NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
A white pick-up car, part of the protest, blocked a police riot control vehicle outside the EOCO office, causing a brief standstill.
The MPs say they will spend the night at the EOCO premises until the bail conditions — including a GH¢50 million property requirement — are reviewed and met.
The protest follows a dramatic walkout from Parliament earlier on Thursday, where Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin strongly criticised EOCO’s conduct, describing it as “capricious and biased”.
“I support accountability, but accountability must follow the rule of law,” he said on the floor of Parliament. “Tomorrow it may be you, Mr Speaker. Today, some of our colleagues are in government. In 2028, you cannot be sure.”
Afenyo-Markin argued that the GH¢50 million bail demand was excessive and insensitive, especially given reports that Wontumi is currently receiving medical treatment.
“You are demanding 50 million worth of property from a man still in the hospital? Where is he going to get that from? We don’t have 50 million in property. We are going to sleep there with him,” he said, calling on all MPs to reject partisan divides and defend justice.
The MPs say their protest is a message to EOCO and all state institutions: “Do your work, but respect the law.”
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Meanwhile, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has made a strong appeal to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to release New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—on self-recognisance bail.
Leading Minority MPs to EOCO to solidarise with Wontumi on Thursday, Afenyo-Markin condemned the manner of Wontumi’s arrest and criticised the bail conditions imposed by EOCO, describing them as excessive and unjustified.
“Wontumi must be freed now. He is not going to run away. He will make himself available. He should be admitted to self-recognisance bail,” he asserted. “That so-called GHS50 million bail justification is unreasonable and outrageous.”
Wontumi has been in EOCO custody since May 27 following his arrest in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities involving EXIMBANK. The bail conditions, which require two sureties and a total sum of GHS50 million, have triggered widespread concern among his supporters and political allies.
