NPP Slams EOCO Over Unlawful Detention of Ashanti Regional Chairman
The Ashanti Regional Leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed outrage over the detention of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Addressing a press conference at the party’s regional office, Lawyer Adom Appiah, Ashanti Regional Secretary, described the arrest as an action carried out in bad faith.
Unlawful Detention Allegations
According to Lawyer Appiah, EOCO’s invasion of Wontumi’s residence at Atasomanso and subsequent ambush arrest were unlawful. He added that the state institution has refused to grant Wontumi access to his legal team and has also denied him access to a medical facility of his choice. The party described the 50 million Ghana Cedis bail condition as onerous, unreasonable, and unfair.
The NPP leadership has called upon the government, clergy, imams, the National Peace Council, and President John Dramani Mahama to immediately intervene and ensure that state institutions act within the remits of the law. The party urged EOCO to judiciously exercise its discretionary power and respect the rights of Wontumi.
The NPP’s call for intervention highlights concerns about the rule of law and the treatment of citizens by state institutions. The party’s allegations of unlawful detention and denial of access to Wontumi’s legal team and medical facility raise questions about the respect for human rights and the rule of law in Ghana.
