Bawumia and Afenyo-Markin Denied Access to Wontumi at NIB
Former Vice President says prior arrangements were made, but NIB and EOCO blocked access due to crowd concerns.
- Bawumia and Afenyo-Markin were denied access to see Chairman Wontumi at the NIB headquarters.
- Security officials cited crowd concerns despite prior arrangements for the visit.
- Wontumi remains in custody as GHS50 million bail conditions with two sureties are yet to be met
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President and NPP’s 2024 flagbearer, along with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed disappointment after being unable to meet Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, during a visit to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in Accra.
Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, is currently being held at the NIB following his earlier detention by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) amid an ongoing criminal investigation. Though Bawumia and his team were granted access to the premises on Friday, May 30, they were told that Wontumi couldn’t be brought forward due to logistical challenges stemming from the large crowd present.
“We had made arrangements to see him and check on his wellbeing, but the NIB and EOCO said they couldn’t present him at the moment due to the crowd situation,” Dr. Bawumia stated. “We are deeply disappointed by this setback, especially since we had secured prior approval, but we will keep pushing to ensure we meet with him.”
Dr. Bawumia is reportedly spearheading efforts to meet the GHS50 million bail requirement for Wontumi, which includes two justified sureties—a condition that remains unmet, keeping Wontumi in custody.
The development has stirred political tensions. Wontumi was initially arrested on May 27 by the Ghana Police CID and later handed over to EOCO, which granted him bail on May 28. In response to his continued detention, Minority MPs staged a protest march on May 29 from Parliament to EOCO headquarters, demanding his release.
The protest caused significant traffic disruptions in Accra, prompting a police intervention. The MPs, however, resumed their duties in Parliament the next day.
Several NPP MPs, senior party leaders, and supporters also gathered at the NIB office to show solidarity.
