The bail conditions set by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party have been described as ‘onerous’ by the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin.
According to the lawmaker, it appears that EOCO has made it difficult for Chairman Wontumi to meet the bail conditions, as they seem unrealistic, calling on the agency to reconsider and revoke the current bail terms.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Afenyo-Markin criticised the EOCO, saying, “While he has his right to pursue the matter in another forum, I believe that for the good of democracy, EOCO, without delay, must revoke and vary that onerous bill conditions. The man is still in the hospital, and you are demanding 50 million worth of property.”
The Effutu MP also accused EOCO of attempting to frustrate Chairman Wontumi’s efforts to secure bail, claiming that the agency has made it nearly impossible through various tactics that have prolonged his detention.
“And Mr Speaker, the sad part of it is that yesterday when one surety got there, they said that the person who will go and do the inspection has closed and is not available. You go there at 10 O’ clock and they say it’s not available. Mr Speaker, we should not do this to ourselves as a country,” he added.
His statement comes in the wake of Chairman Wontumi being granted bail by EOCO, set at GH¢50 million with two sureties, both of whom must be justified.
Initial reports indicated that he was unable to meet the bail conditions, resulting in an extended stay in EOCO custody for an additional night.
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.
MAG/MA
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