Tensions are rising within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the mysterious disappearance of Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, after an encounter with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Member of Parliament for Tema East, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, has publicly accused EOCO of misleading the NPP and Wontumi’s legal team.
According to Titus-Glover, the party was led to believe that Wontumi would be allowed to receive medical treatment before the continuation of his interrogation. However, it has now emerged that his whereabouts are unknown.
“EOCO lied to us and to him,” Titus-Glover said in an interview with Onua FM’s Nana Yaa Brefo. “I do not know where he is. I left EOCO’s premises at 11 p.m. Tuesday, and since then, we have not been able to locate him.”
Lawyer for the embattled Chairman and fellow NPP Member of Parliament, Andy Appiah-Kubi, had earlier confirmed Wontumi fell ill during his interrogation and was subsequently transferred to a hospital for treatment.
“My client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” Appiah-Kubi said at the time. “We haven’t finished the interrogation, so we will come back to continue hopefully tomorrow, if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will remain there until doctors discharge him.”
However, Titus-Glover now claims that EOCO agents returned to the hospital and took Wontumi away.
“Hon. Appiah-Kubi informed us that he was at the hospital, but later when we visited that hospital and other hospitals, we couldn’t find him,” he added.
Titus-Glover further suggested that the situation reflects a broader political dynamic, saying “the NDC is really teaching us how power can be used. We’re still looking for Wontumi.”
The ongoing confusion prompted a show of solidarity by NPP supporters, who flocked to EOCO’s premises in large numbers.
Their presence comes in response to Wontumi’s earlier arrest, which occurred shortly after he was questioned at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.
The interrogation was reportedly linked to allegations of illegal mining operations, including activities in protected forest reserves.
As of this report, EOCO has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations or clarifying Wontumi’s current status.
Titus-Glover slams EOCO over Wontumi’s arrest, ‘mysterious’ hospitalization
By Lois Ama Dogbe
