The Minority Caucus in Parliament on Thursday staged a dramatic walkout from the House and vowed to boycott future sittings to protest what they termed the ‘unjust treatment’ and ‘punitive bail conditions‘ imposed on the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The Caucus abandoned the sitting of the House and subsequently marched to the office of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on John Evans Atta Mills Street (High Street) to continue their protest. They declared they would not return to Parliament or participate in its business until Chairman Wontumi is granted bail under more favourable terms.
Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, speaking on the floor of the House, launched a scathing criticism of EOCO, questioning the legality and fairness of its handling of the high-profile case. He warned that such treatment could set a dangerous precedent, potentially affecting members across the political divide in the future.
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“What is happening is not right,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared, alleging Chairman Wontumi was “accosted and physically pulled out of his car by EOCO operatives despite cooperating with police earlier.” He further stated that Chairman Wontumi is currently unwell and being held at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) clinic, adding, “This is not how justice should be done.”
According to the Minority Leader, Chairman Wontumi had voluntarily reported himself to the police on Tuesday, May 27, only to be forcibly taken by EOCO officials to their offices later.
He slammed EOCO for demanding a GH¢50 million property-based bail condition, describing it as ‘excessive and punitive.’
“Mr. Speaker, our courts have ruled time and again that bail must not be used as punishment. This man has a fixed place of abode, and he voluntarily drove from Kumasi to Accra. So why the harassment?” he questioned.
Referring to Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, the Minority Leader contended that EOCO’s exercise of discretion had been ‘arbitrary, capricious, and biased,’ urging the agency to immediately reverse the bail conditions.
“Do your work, but respect the law. We are not against accountability, but justice must not be selective or weaponized,” he stated, adding a stark warning: “Today it is Chairman Wontumi. Tomorrow, it could be you.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin warned that the Minority Caucus of the NPP would continue its boycott of parliamentary proceedings in solidarity with Chairman Wontumi until the bail conditions were reviewed.
He declared, “Until EOCO is able to do the right thing, we the NPP side, however small our numbers, will protest by absenting ourselves from proceedings. We are going to sleep there with him. We are not going to ask for any property to present to them. We don’t have GH¢50 million worth of property.”
As of Thursday, Chairman Wontumi remained in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau’s (NIB) clinic, under EOCO authority. His legal team is reportedly preparing to challenge the bail conditions in court.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com