Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is leading efforts within the party to secure the release of Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, who remains in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Chairman Wontumi has been held since Tuesday, May 27, amid an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state.

Though he was granted bail on Wednesday, May 28, in the amount of GHS 50 million, he has not yet been able to meet the bail conditions, leading to his continued detention.

The situation has sparked political uproar, with Minority Members of Parliament staging a protest and boycott in response. Critics have described the bail terms as excessively punitive and politically motivated.

Speaking to Citi News, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPP, Divine Agorhom, confirmed that the party’s top leadership, including Dr. Bawumia, is actively working toward securing Wontumi’s release.

“It is not only His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia but every senior party person. We are hoping that the EOCO itself will be able to vary the condition a bit more lenient for us to meet,” he said.

He added that if the current bail terms are not revised, the party’s legal team is prepared to seek a variation through the courts.

“If that is not the case, my understanding is that the council is considering legal avenues to vary the conditions. If all that fails, then we will have to pull resources and see what we can do to get him out.

“Not only His Excellency the Former Vice President, but all leading members, including our caucus in parliament and the national leadership. They are all involved in finding a solution.”