Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for what it describes as an unnecessarily forceful arrest of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Mr Antwi-Boasiako was apprehended by EOCO officials on Tuesday, shortly after concluding a scheduled meeting with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at its headquarters in Accra. He had earlier turned himself in to assist police with investigations into alleged illegal mining operations, including activities in forest reserves without proper authorisation.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua condemned the re-arrest, saying it undermined the rule of law and could fuel public mistrust in state institutions.

“This is a person who was invited by the Ghana Police Service and he honoured that invitation,” Mr Kodua said. “If indeed EOCO wanted to invite him, they could have done so through appropriate channels.”

He added that no individual is above the law but stressed that law enforcement agencies must act within the confines of legal procedure.

“For the sanctity of our democracy, we don’t need to go through this drama and this Rambo-style of arresting people just to show that you are in power,” he said.

Mr Kodua referenced a past pledge by President John Mahama to be “a father for all,” questioning whether such incidents were in line with that vision. “What we are seeing — is it the kind of resetting they are talking about? Then I’m afraid for our democracy.”

EOCO has yet to officially clarify the grounds for Mr Antwi-Boasiako’s re-arrest. He was released on bail by the CID and was expected to return for further questioning.

The NPP has called for greater coordination between state institutions and warned against actions that could be perceived as politically motivated or excessive.

Source:TheDotNews