“This is not law, this is politics” — Minority storms EOCO over Wontumi’s GHS50m bail

Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi and Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has strongly criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) handling of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi.

Speaking during the Minority’s march to EOCO headquarters on Thursday, May 29, Nkrumah asserted, “What is going on is not law, it is politics.”

He emphasized that Wontumi has been cooperating with investigations by the CID and called the stringent bail conditions “unacceptable” and politically motivated.

The Minority caucus describes the GHS50 million bail requirement and demand for two sureties as excessively harsh, designed to intimidate and punish rather than uphold justice.

The protest walkout, led by Minority Leader Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin alongside other minority MPs, is both an expression of solidarity and a political statement against what they perceive as a misuse of state investigative powers.

Afenyo-Markin condemned EOCO’s approach, urging the agency to “do your work but respect the law,” warning that current actions risk damaging democratic norms ahead of future elections.

Chairman Wontumi remains in EOCO custody, unable to meet the bail conditions since his arrest earlier in the week.

The Minority has vowed to continue their parliamentary boycott and stand with Wontumi until what they call “fair and legal treatment” is restored, calling for bipartisan support to hold EOCO accountable and safeguard democratic principles.