The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been released from police custody after meeting his bail conditions in the sum of GHc10 million with two sureties, one of which must be justified with landed property.

In a video snippet shared on the X post The1957News on October 10, 2025, counsel for Wontumi, Andy Appiah-Kubi confirmed his release after fulfilling bail condition for his second case.

Addressing the media after Chairman Wontumi’s release, the counsel for the NPP Chairman said, “We thank God our application, the execution of the bail bond has been very successful and Chairman is now enjoying his bail condition.

“We thank you very much for your cooperation, your support and your inspiration. I'm sure Chairman is very well and he's also thankful for your collaboration. For now, there is another accused person that is also granted bail, whose condition we are processing.

“So, we will send Chairman Wontumi and then we will come and continue the processing of the second accused person. We are very grateful to you for your cooperation. Thank you”.

His release comes days after he was remanded following his rearrest on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, over fresh allegations linked to illegal mining activities.

Background

The charges were brought against him after his appearance at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Details of second case that led to Chairman Wontumi's rearrest

Wontumi was granted bail for his face case after complying with a directive from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, to present himself before the CID for questioning.

Dr Ayine had earlier warned that if Wontumi failed to appear before the CID by Monday, October 6, 2026, he would order his arrest and ensure that the charges against him and Akonta Mining Limited were presented in court.

However, Wontumi was rearrested on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, after being officially charged by the state over allegations of involvement in illegal mining.

Reports by GhanaWeb indicated that the rearrest was linked to a second case against him, also connected to his mining operations.

He was subsequently arraigned before the Criminal Court at the Accra High Court, where another set of criminal charges was expected to be filed.

The second case reportedly involves allegations of illegal mining (galamsey) against Wontumi and four others, Edward Akuoko, Owusu Bempah, and Kwame Antwi, the Director of Akonta Mining Limited, who is currently at large.

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Chairman Wontumi was officially charged by the state in connection with alleged involvement in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.

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