Political analyst Dr. Joshua Jubuntie Zaato has accused the government of using the bail system as a tool to target political opponents, describing recent cases as evidence of growing political interference in judicial processes.
According to Dr. Zaato, the recent case of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is an example of how bail conditions are allegedly being “weaponised.”
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail in two separate cases related to alleged illegal mining activities.
He was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on October 7.
However, as of the morning of October 9, Wontumi remains in custody after failing to meet the combined bail conditions of GH₵25 million and accompanying surety requirements.
Speaking on Joy News on October 9, Dr. Zaato argued that, under the current administration, which has been in power for the past nine months, several figures affiliated with the NPP have faced highl bail conditions
“We are now seeing the weaponisation of the bail system used to punish political opponents,” Dr. Zaato said.
“How many people have been denied or have we had cause for the media and everybody to say that ‘this bail condition is outrageous’?” he asked.
Dr. Zaato mentioned that in addition to Chairman Wontumi, other figures such as Kwame Baffoe, known as Abronye, and broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere had also experienced what he described as abuse of the bail system.
“It just so happens that all these people are NPP,” he said. “It just so happens that in all these cases, the bail system was abused, used, and weaponised against them.”
When the reporter referenced the Woyome case under a previous NPP administration, Dr. Zaato acknowledged that similar situations might have occurred in the past but insisted that the current trend was more pronounced.
“Right now we are seeing it at a higher level,” he stressed.
“It’s like now the weaponisation is on steroids.”
