The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, Davis Opoku Ansah, has lashed out at critics of the legal counsel for the embattled NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Wontumi, over his client’s continued detention.
According to the MP, Wontumi would have been released from custody long ago if political theatrics were sufficient, and there is a need to allow his legal counsel to work on securing his client’s bail.
“If politics with theatrics could save the chairman, he would be out. Instead, allow the lawyers to do their work,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
His comment comes in response to criticism directed at Andy Appiah-Kubi over the failure to secure Wontumi’s release following his recent arrest.
In an interview on Friday, May 30, 2025, lead counsel Andy Appiah-Kubi told JoyNews that all necessary documentation for the two sureties has been completed, with significant assistance from former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
“We have been able to provide the sureties; that, I can assure you, and I’m very grateful to Honourable Bryan Acheampong, who has supported me in filing the documents,” Appiah-Kubi said.
He added, “He has brought his documents, which go over and above the value of money required. So, I thank you very much.”
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail on Tuesday, May 27, requiring GH₵50 million with two justified sureties, following his arrest by EOCO on suspicions of fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Until Friday, his team had secured only one surety.
However, Appiah-Kubi revealed that, despite meeting the bail conditions, Wontumi’s release is stalled due to a fresh legal application filed earlier in the day.
“My client is not going home tonight. We encountered a challenge that needs to be addressed before we can move forward,” he explained.
“Unknown to me, there was an application to frustrate what we are doing, so we will deal with it on Monday. It is an application that was not filed by myself, but it prohibits us,” Appiah-Kubi noted.
He disclosed that EOCO officers were prepared to inspect the properties listed by the sureties, but the pending court application legally prevents them from proceeding until the issue is resolved.
“They had agreed to do the inspection tonight, so all the officers are there, but the challenge I faced is legal. We can’t do it,” he said.
