Lawyer for the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has blamed bureaucratic hurdles within state institutions for the delay in his client's release from custody.

According to Andy Appiah-Kubi, although all bail conditions have been fully satisfied, the administrative processes required for the final execution of the court's order are yet to be completed.

Speaking in an interview on Joy News on October 9, 2025, Appiah-Kubi explained that the verification and valuation of properties presented as sureties are being handled by relevant state agencies, a process that has slowed down Wontumi's release.

"We have met all the bail conditions, but the processing of the order is what is delaying it. The execution requires verification of the properties and confirmation of their valuation, and those are handled by state institutions," adomonline.com quoted him as saying.

He mentioned the Lands Commission as one of the institutions involved. He revealed that officials initially encountered difficulties locating the registration plan for one of the properties used for the bail.

"I'm told it has now been identified and the report is being sent to the registrar of the court," he noted.

Chairman Wontumi, who is being prosecuted by the state in two separate cases, is reportedly still in police custody after failing to meet the total GH¢25 million bail set by the two courts handling his cases.

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In the first case, where Wontumi faces multiple criminal charges for allegedly engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the Tano Nimire Forest Reserve, the judge granted him a GH¢15 million bail with two sureties after he pleaded not guilty.

In the second case, involving additional charges linked to the same forest reserve, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman was granted a GH¢10 million bail, also with two sureties.

Despite these bail conditions, reports indicate that Chairman Wontumi remains in custody, as he has yet to satisfy the full bail requirements.

AM/SEA

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