A dramatic turn of events unfolded on Tuesday, May 27, as Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was hospitalized during an interrogation session by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra, intensifying political tensions within the country.
Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), reportedly fell ill while responding to questions related to allegations of illegal mining and was rushed to an undisclosed medical facility. His lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, confirmed the sudden development but declined to reveal the hospital’s location.
“I know where he is but I am not going to disclose the hospital. But all that I can say is that my client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” Appiah-Kubi told reporters.
The interrogation, which remains incomplete, was temporarily suspended as doctors attend to Wontumi’s health. Appiah-Kubi stated that proceedings would resume depending on his client’s recovery.
Wontumi’s legal troubles intensified earlier that day when he was invited by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to assist in a probe involving illegal mining activities, including accusations of operating without a license, polluting water bodies, and encroaching on forest reserves. However, after honoring the invitation, EOCO officials detained him for further questioning.
Amid the unfolding legal drama, EOCO’s actions have ignited strong political reactions. A throng of NPP supporters and executives descended on the EOCO headquarters in protest, leading to heightened security and the deployment of military personnel.
NPP National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, sharply criticized what he described as a targeted campaign against opposition figures under the guise of legal enforcement. “We are a law-abiding political party, and we’ve urged our members to cooperate with investigative bodies. But we will not sit back while our people are subjected to unfair treatment,” Boakye stated.
Titus Glover, former Greater Accra Regional Minister, also weighed in, calling the arrest a “Rambo-style” operation and accusing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of weaponizing state institutions to undermine political opponents. “This is nothing short of a violent political witch-hunt,” Glover claimed, demanding EOCO publicly disclose any formal charges against Wontumi.
Meanwhile, Wontumi also faces a fresh legal challenge as Exim Bank has filed a writ of summons against him. Appiah-Kubi confirmed that legal responses are being prepared and expressed confidence in mounting a robust defense.
As the political atmosphere grows increasingly charged, all eyes remain on Wontumi’s health and the unfolding legal proceedings that could shape the months ahead in Ghana’s already heated political landscape.
