The Office of the Attorney General has opposed an application for bail filed by Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The application seeks to secure Wontumi’s release pending the hearing and determination of his appeal against his conviction and sentence.
The Attorney General’s opposition was contained in an affidavit filed on Tuesday, August 11, in response to the bail application.
Lawyers for Wontumi had on Friday, August 7, filed an application at the High Court seeking bail for their client while he pursues an appeal against his conviction and sentence.
However, the Attorney General has urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that the grounds of appeal filed by Wontumi do not establish a reasonable prospect of success.
In its affidavit, the AG’s office challenged several claims contained in the affidavit supporting the bail application, maintaining that the grounds of appeal were insufficient to demonstrate that the appeal stood a reasonable chance of succeeding.
The Office of the Attorney General stated that “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 prosecution’s opposition also centres on concerns over Wontumi’s ability to remain within the jurisdiction while his appeal is pending.
According to the Attorney General, the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman presents a significant flight risk and urged the court to consider the issue in determining whether to grant him bail.
The affidavit states: “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.”
