The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has advised the Minority in Parliament to seek legal redress in court if they are dissatisfied with the GH₵50 million bail condition imposed on the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to him, Parliament has no constitutional authority to intervene in matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the judiciary or security institutions.

The Deputy Speaker advised the Minority caucus that the appropriate recourse is to apply to the High Court for a review.

• Read also: Properties worth GH₵50m as bail condition unreasonable – Minority on Wontumi

“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 impose a bail condition that you feel that the bail condition is harsh, I do not think Parliament will have the authority to call for a review of that particular decision,” he stated.

He added that if someone is being held beyond the constitutionally allowed period, the law clearly provides a legal path to seek redress.

His remarks came after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin raised concerns in Parliament about what he described as excessive and unjustifiable bail conditions imposed on Wontumi.

According to him, Chairman Wontumi has been in EOCO custody for 48 hours, despite being unwell, and was recently transferred to a small clinic at the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

• Read also: Wontumi under probe for alleged fraud, money laundering and international organised crime – Deputy A-G

Afenyo-Markin argued that the GH₵50m bail amount and the demand for property justification were excessive and unfair, especially since Wontumi is not on trial and has cooperated with investigations.

He insisted that bail should not be used as a tool to punish political opponents.

"He's unwell now, and it's been 48 hours. Mr Speaker, EOCO does not have a health facility, so they have transferred him to the NIB health facility. NIB has a small clinic but Mr Speaker, is that clinic able to give him the treatment he needs?

"I must argue that EOCO cannot arrogate the power of demanding justification at the enquiry level. You are doing an investigation, the matter is not before a court for trial and then you make the bail condition so onerous. It is clear that this is being used to punish him," he said.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested earlier in the week and later granted bail by the EOCO. His detention and the bail terms have sparked protests from NPP MPs and supporters, with many accusing the government of weaponising state institutions.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has revealed that the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is under investigation for alleged serious criminal offences, including fraud, causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering.