The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has condemned Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe over his recent remarks about the party’s leadership and the handling of the arrest of Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has defended its handling of the arrest and detention of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to the EOCO’s Ashanti Regional Director, Edward Cudjoe, critics are exaggerating the situation and that the agency has adhered to legal procedures in granting bail.

“I think that the institution has followed the laid down processes, and if you hear from the commentary, his legal representatives are telling you that due process has been followed. It’s only those who are on the other side who don’t know what is happening and are making noise,” he said.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested earlier this week and granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties, both to be justified.

His lawyers have secured one surety but have yet to meet the second condition, resulting in his continued custody.

The bail amount has been criticised by various political figures, including former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who described it as unrealistic.

Dr. Bawumia stated that few individuals in Ghana possess properties worth GH¢50 million to satisfy such bail conditions.

The situation has sparked protests from NPP supporters and members of Parliament. The Minority caucus staged a walkout from Parliament and marched to EOCO’s headquarters, demanding Wontumi’s release.

They argue that the bail conditions are excessive and politically motivated.

Despite the protests, EOCO maintains that the bail conditions are appropriate given the severity of the allegations against Wontumi, which include fraud, money laundering, and involvement in international organized crime.

The agency asserts that any concerns regarding bail conditions should be addressed through the courts, not public demonstrations.

As of now, Chairman Wontumi remains in custody pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions. His legal team has indicated plans to seek a variation of the bail terms through the judicial system.

Source: Myjoyonline

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Speaking to JoyNews at the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Mr Titus Glover accused President Mahama of orchestrating efforts to undermine the judiciary as a prelude to amending the constitution to extend his tenure.

“We want to assure President Mahama that he has been given the power to govern,” he said.

“But all the orchestration he is doing to get rid of the Chief Justice is a way of trying to amend the constitution. I have said it before, and I will repeat it: President Mahama’s third term will never happen.”

The former minister criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as a campaign of vilification against the Chief Justice, pointing to a flood of public commentary on the charges levelled against her.

“Today, she has filed an affidavit, and all she is asking for is to let the public know what is happening. Is this too much to ask?” he questioned.

Mr Titus Glover labelled the entire situation as a “calculated attempt” by the president, his government, and the party to weaken judicial independence.

He recalled a statement allegedly made by President Mahama during his campaign, vowing to deal with the Chief Justice upon coming to power.

Source: Emmanuel Tetteh

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Speaking to JoyNews‘ Kwaku Asante at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters in Accra, the Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, described the GH¢50 million bail condition imposed on Wontumi as excessive and unjustifiable.

Chairman Wontumi, who was arrested earlier this week and interrogated by EOCO, was later granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified, a condition party members claim is excessive and politically motivated.

Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the rationale behind asking a citizen to first provide properties worth GH¢50 million before being granted bail, especially when the individual had already cooperated with law enforcement agencies.

He called on the authorities to reconsider the GH¢50 million bail condition, arguing that it is both unreasonable and unnecessary.

“He was arrested in a rambo-style… you interrogate him, he makes himself available, and your next thing is ‘go and bring title properties worth 50 million cedis. What kind of country are we in,” he asked.

“Have they looked at the Constitution? They should vary the bail term, the man is unwell. He’s in their [EOCO] custody, they know, so they should vary. Wontumi will not run away.

The Minority Leader also issued a stern warning to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), urging them to reflect on their actions.

“I’m telling our friends in the NDC, four years will soon come, and if they think that what they are doing is right, they should watch it.

“Treat others the way you expect them to do unto you. If you keep Wontumi, are you using bail to punish him? We’re here protesting. What has Wontumi done?”

Also addressing the media, MP for Ofoase/Ayirebi and former Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, described the situation as a misuse of state power to achieve political ends.

“We all understand that what is going on is not law, it is politics, and people need to get that at the back of their mind. The government is seeking to use the legal process to achieve political ends.

“This is a man [Wontumi] who is already cooperating with CID investigations. He’s been granted bail, then on his way home, you now find another state organisation comes to arrest him in a rambo-style swoop. Now, you impose this bail conditions just so that he will struggle to meet it and then you can keep him behind bars,” he said.

He warned that the State was setting a dangerous precedent, using what he described as “the coercive power of the State” to intimidate political actors.

“This is politics, it is not law, and that is why we have to draw the attention that this is unacceptable. They are using the coercive power of the State in an attempt to intimidate political opponents, and that’s what we need to draw attention to,” Mr Nkrumah added.

Meanwhile, the NPP’s National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, also known as Nana B, raised serious concerns over Wontumi’s current whereabouts, claiming EOCO officials were unable to confirm his location.

“What they [EOCO] are telling us is that Wontumi is not here. We have asked about his whereabouts, and they are unable to confirm. We’ve asked the director, and we are told the Director-General is not here, his deputies are not here. We demand that there should be fairness in all of this,” he said.

Addressing President John Mahama directly, Nana B said, “President Mahama, what is happening in this country? This is not the rule of law.

“This is a rule of a certain person somewhere wanting to show that yes we have power, we are in charge. He was picked up on Tuesday, as we speak, its been 48 hours and they are telling us that they don’t know his whereabouts.”

The Minority caucus, along with NPP supporters, has been protesting at the EOCO office, demanding a review of the bail conditions and immediate release of Chairman Wontumi, who has been in custody for over 48 hours.

The NPP members insisted they were going to remain at the EOCO headquarters until Wontumi was released, but they eventually dispersed a little after 6:00pm.

Source: Myjoyonline

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The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, May 27, at the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra, where Chairman Wontumi was being held after responding to an earlier invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over alleged illegal mining activities.

In a press statement issued by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, the police confirmed that a formal investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.

The statement noted that the Regional Command is currently reviewing all available evidence, including video recordings and eyewitness accounts, to establish the facts and identify those responsible.

The Ghana Police Service reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals, especially members of the media, whose work is vital in a democratic society.

The Service further assured the public that due process will be followed and that any violations of the law will be dealt with accordingly.

The incident has sparked widespread concern among press freedom advocates and media organisations, many of whom are calling for swift accountability.

Latif Iddrisu is known for his on-the-ground reporting, particularly on sensitive political and criminal justice issues. His alleged assault adds to a growing list of troubling incidents involving journalists facing intimidation or violence in the line of duty.

The incident has attracted significant public condemnation.

Source: Myjoyonline

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