The arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has sparked widespread debate over law enforcement conduct and political accountability, as questions emerge over the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) methods.
Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, a law lecturer at the University of Ghana, has condemned the approach used by EOCO in arresting the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He described the operation, which reportedly involved intercepting Wontumi in dramatic fashion on a public road, as unnecessary and potentially a violation of his human rights.
“You can talk about some possible human rights violations against Mr. Boasiako,” Prof. Appiagyei-Atua said on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, May 31. “The so-called Rambo-style approach… was not justified. EOCO could have simply engaged him through a formal invitation, especially since he had previously honoured one from the CID.”
Wontumi was initially arrested by the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service before being taken into EOCO custody on Tuesday, May 27. Although he was granted a GHC50 million bail a day later—with two justified sureties—his release has been stalled by a High Court application seeking to review the bail terms.
While criticising the arrest, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua clarified that EOCO’s handling of the bail itself appears legally sound. “When it comes to the bail, EOCO is working within the law,” he noted.
Nonetheless, the prolonged detention has triggered unrest across political lines. On Friday, May 30, NPP supporters staged a roadblock outside the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) headquarters in Accra after reports surfaced that Wontumi had been secretly transferred there. However, when a high-profile party delegation led by NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia arrived, they were told he was not in custody at the facility—further deepening the mystery and public unease.
The previous day, Minority MPs staged a dramatic protest by walking out of Parliament and occupying the premises of EOCO in a sit-in demonstration. They demanded his immediate release, arguing that Wontumi’s status and cooperation with authorities warranted bail on self-recognizance.
The incident has rapidly escalated into a national controversy, igniting discussions around due process, political influence, and the protection of individual rights under the law. Civil society groups and legal analysts continue to weigh in, urging both transparency from state agencies and respect for constitutional safeguards.
