The Office of the Attorney General has urged the High Court to reject a bail application filed by NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as he seeks to challenge his conviction and sentence on appeal.
The Attorney General’s opposition was contained in an affidavit filed on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in response to Wontumi’s application for bail pending the determination of his appeal.
Wontumi’s lawyers had approached the High Court on Friday, August 7, asking the court to release him on bail while the appeal against his conviction and sentence is heard.
However, the Attorney General has argued that the application does not meet the necessary grounds for bail, particularly because the appeal itself does not, in its view, have a reasonable prospect of success.
The AG’s office specifically challenged the grounds of appeal contained in Exhibit CB2, arguing that they failed to demonstrate any realistic basis upon which the conviction and sentence could be overturned.
“The grounds of appeal contained in the Exhibit CB2, the appeal, contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the affidavit in support of the motion, discloses no reasonable chance of success,” the affidavit stated.
AG raises concerns over possible flight
Beyond the prospects of the appeal, the Attorney General has raised concerns about whether Wontumi would remain within Ghana if granted bail.
The State described the NPP executive as a “significant flight risk” and urged the court to take that consideration into account when determining his application.
“That contrary to the averments in Paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 of the affidavit in support of the motion, the Applicant constitutes a significant flight risk,” the AG stated.
The opposition therefore places the strength of Wontumi’s appeal and the State’s concerns over his possible departure from the jurisdiction at the centre of the bail dispute.
The High Court is expected to consider the arguments from both sides before determining whether Wontumi should be granted bail pending the outcome of his appeal.
