Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Hassan Tampuli, has expressed his disapproval of the arrest and ongoing detention of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Wontumi, by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO). Tampuli, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), believes that the actions taken against Wontumi are unconstitutional.
During an appearance on Newsfile, Tampuli argued that Wontumi’s prolonged detention beyond the legally mandated 48-hour period goes against Article 14 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, which protects personal liberty. He emphasized that the continued arrest and restriction of Wontumi violate the law and infringe upon his constitutional rights.
Furthermore, Tampuli raised concerns about the potential political motives behind EOCO’s actions, suggesting that Wontumi’s detention may be driven by political persecution rather than genuine legal concerns.
Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, was re-arrested by EOCO after being questioned by the Police CID earlier in the week on allegations of financial crimes. However, the specific details of the charges against him remain unclear.
In response to Wontumi’s detention, his legal representative, Lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, has vowed to focus solely on legal processes to secure his client’s release. Appiah-Kubi stated that he intends to avoid engaging in political theatrics and instead work within the confines of the law to seek justice for Wontumi.
Despite making progress in meeting the bail conditions set by EOCO, including providing the necessary sureties, Wontumi is expected to remain in detention over the weekend due to a new legal challenge that has emerged. Appiah-Kubi revealed that an unexpected application, not filed by himself, has surfaced and will need to be addressed on Monday before Wontumi can be released.
The ongoing detention of Wontumi has sparked protests from NPP party members, who have demanded his immediate release. The protests, which began with a march from Parliament to EOCO’s headquarters in Accra, escalated as Minority MPs staged a symbolic sit-in to challenge what they deemed as unreasonable bail conditions imposed on Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi was granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified, a condition that party members believe is excessive and politically motivated. The situation remains tense as Wontumi’s legal team continues to navigate the legal challenges in their efforts to secure his release.
