A dramatic twist has emerged following the arrest of NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. The arrest, described by party officials as “intimidatory,” has stirred strong reactions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the NPP, Wontumi voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and was cooperating with police at their headquarters when events took an unexpected turn. Party lawyer Mr. Appiah-Kubi revealed that heavily armed, masked officers suddenly intervened, whisking Wontumi away and placing him under detention for further questioning.
While the exact nature of the allegations remains unclear, Mr. Appiah-Kubi confirmed that some charges had been brought against Wontumi, and that he had already begun responding to them. However, the interrogation was reportedly cut short due to Wontumi’s deteriorating health, leading to his hospitalisation.
In a related development, Wontumi was also served with a writ of summons from Exim Bank earlier the same day, adding a civil legal element to the unfolding saga.
“We have received a writ of summons from Exim Bank this afternoon, and we’ll be responding to the pleadings tomorrow,” Appiah-Kubi said. “We’re optimistic about our chances to mount a solid defence.”
He was careful to distinguish between the two legal matters. “This is a supposed criminal investigation, and we’re prepared to defend ourselves. The Exim Bank issue, however, is strictly civil, and we will treat it as such in court.”
Wontumi’s hospitalisation has only added to the charged political atmosphere, with senior NPP figures condemning the arrest. National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye described the events as politically motivated and likened them to the “dark days” of political persecution.
Despite the controversy, Mr. Appiah-Kubi reaffirmed the party’s commitment to due process. “We’re cooperating fully with the authorities. We believe in the rule of law, but we will not be silenced.”
The NPP has promised to provide further updates as the situation evolves.
