Wontumi's case is a family affair - Lawyer

Counsel for Mr. Bernard Antwi Bosiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional NPP chairman who was charged with assault of a public officer has said that they have up to June 1, 2016 to allow them settle the case out of court.

Lawyer Egbert Faibille Jnr speaking to Kwame Tutu on Frontline on Rainbow Radio said, they agreed on an out of court settlement on the charges leveled against his client.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail in the sum of GHC 20, 000 by the Asokwa Magistrate Court with two sureties. One of the sureties should have a landed property or deposit an amount of 10,000cedis.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako allegedly slapped MP for Manhyia North, Collins Owusu Amankwah, and constituency secretary Felix Ibrahim the Nana Fordjour polling center during a during the limited voter registration exercise, Sunday.

He was declared wanted by the police on Monday after he reportedly turned down an invitation to answer questions on the assault charges leveled against him by the complainants.

He turned himself in to the police and was subsequently detained overnight; a situation which saw some supporters of the party besiege the police station demanding for the release of the Chairman.

Lawyer Egbert Faibille Jnr during proceedings yesterday, suggested that the continued detention of the party chairman would distract the NPP from monitoring the on-going limited voters’ registration exercise, the lawyer suggested.

This he noted brought about some heated arguments but the court in its wisdom granted them the request of an out of court settlement which they are to report to the court on the next adjournment date.

"We proposed to the court that this a family affair; under the law the court are authorised to promote reconciliation between parties; so we asked for a two-week period to settle out of court. we will come back and announce a settlement to the court on the 1st of June.’’

The lawyer added, the case still pends but he was hopeful that they will reach an agreement since the assault case is a family matter and will be resolved amicably.