First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has indicated that Parliament doesn't have the mandate to review the bail conditions offered to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi).

His statement comes after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament walked out of the House during a parliamentary session on Thursday, May 29, to protest Wontumi's arrest.

Wontumi has been handed a GHS50 million bail with two sureties, both of which must be justified by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). However, Wontumi has yet to meet the conditions of the bail.

Enoch Afoakwa, who is a member of Chairman Wontumi's legal team, has criticized the bail conditions as “arbitrary, harsh, and excessive”.

The minority, on the other hand, has labelled the bail as exorbitant and called for an amendment.

However, Bernard Ahiafor has advised the minority to seek redress in court to rectify the matter.

“I believe this is a matter that can adequately be addressed by the judiciary. For me, if a decision of an institution can be challenged at the court, if a security agency slaps a bail condition that you feel that it is hard, I do not think Parliament has the authority to call for a review of that particular decision,” he stated.

Chairman Wontumi spent Wednesday night in the custody of EOCO's headquarters.

EOCO arrested Chairman Wontumi on Tuesday after he appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service at 3pm.

He was sent to the hospital over illness and was sent to EOCO's custody after getting better.

On Tuesday, supporters of the opposition party massed up at the EOCO office, demanding the release of Wontumi.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman voluntarily made an appearance at the CID headquarters on Monday alongside his legal team, including former Attorney General Godfred Dame, after an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

He was cautioned on the following allegations: undertaking mining operations without a license, entering a forest reserve without authorisation and pollution of water bodies.

However, according to sources, Chairman Wontumi denied these claims during his interrogation, presenting documents to authenticate his claims.

He insists he was not involved in any illegal mining activities or operating in any forest reserve.

Following the interrogations, the CID granted him bail with two sureties, though the exact amount has not yet been disclosed.

This follows a failed attempt by a joint team of national security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on May 23.

After the failed search attempt, Mr Boasiako expressed his displeasure over a search that was orchestrated by national security operatives at his residence.

The search comes after Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Buah, ordered the immediate revocation of Akonta Mining’s licenses, citing allegations of illegal mining and other violations.

During the press briefing, he accused the company of being involved in galamsey operations and breaching mining regulations.

Buah also claimed that Akonta Mining was illegally selling mining concessions within the Aboi Forest to unauthorized miners, charging up to GH₵300,000 per concession, with some payments reportedly made in gold royalties.

Akonta Mining Company Limited, owned by Chairman Wontumi, has taken legal action against the Minerals Commission and the Minister of Lands, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, claiming GH₵20 million in damages.

The company alleges that during a press conference on April 22, Minister Buah made defamatory remarks, accusing Akonta Mining of illegal mining activities within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve.

The company has strongly denied these accusations, asserting that its mining leases, which were granted in 2021, cover areas outside of the protected reserve.

The lawsuit, filed at the Accra High Court on April 24, argues that the minister's statements were false and damaging to its reputation.

Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has pledged to pursue every possible avenue until Wontumi is released from custody.