A surprising twist in the ongoing legal saga involving Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Wontumi—has revealed that the latest legal maneuver to vary his bail conditions was directed not by party officials, but by his wife.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Member of Parliament for Gushegu and Deputy Transport Minister, Hassan Tampuli, disclosed that Wontumi’s wife played a decisive role in pushing for legal action after the initial bail requirements proved difficult to fulfill.
The NPP stalwart remains in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), despite efforts by his legal team to secure his release. Although one surety was initially secured, the full bail conditions had not been met as of Friday.
Mr. Tampuli clarified that it was Mrs. Antwi Boasiako who instructed Gary Nimako, the New Patriotic Party’s Director of Legal Affairs, to file an application to vary the bail terms. This move appeared to sidestep traditional party communication channels.
“Gary was instructed by Chairman Wontumi’s wife and his aide, not the party,” Mr. Tampuli explained. “He is the Director of Legal Affairs for the party, but this instruction didn’t come from the General Secretary or the National Council. It came directly from the family.”
This revelation highlights an unusual level of personal involvement in a politically sensitive legal case, suggesting a breakdown or lack of clarity in the party’s legal coordination efforts.
Tampuli further narrated the events leading up to the filing of the motion. “On Tuesday, after Chairman Wontumi left the CID headquarters, he was picked up again. So, naturally, the 48-hour limit was going to elapse by Thursday afternoon,” he said. “We were working to meet all bail conditions before then, but it proved challenging.”
The impasse prompted Mrs. Wontumi to demand action. According to Tampuli, she wanted to see progress, especially as her husband remained behind bars. “She was agitated. She wants to see her husband. She wants to know the lawyers are doing something tangible,” he added.
Mr. Tampuli recounted that although legal efforts were in motion, they were not properly communicated to Wontumi’s wife, leading her to instruct Nimako to step in more forcefully. This led to a motion being filed around 2:35 pm on Friday, seeking a review of the bail conditions.
The situation has also cast a spotlight on perceived internal disorganisation within the NPP’s legal apparatus. Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), appearing on the same programme, pointed to apparent contradictions in the party’s handling of the issue. He implied that there may be deeper disagreements or communication gaps within the legal team.
This turn of events has not only raised eyebrows within the party but also among the public, as it underscores a growing tension between family influence and institutional party processes. While it’s not unusual for families to advocate for detained relatives, the fact that the party’s chief legal officer acted on personal—not party—orders reflects a situation that could heighten scrutiny on how legal and political strategies are managed in high-profile cases.
As of now, Chairman Wontumi remains in EOCO custody, with no official word on when or if the variation request will be granted.
