The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, alias “Chairman Wontumi”, was hospitalised yesterday, Tuesday, 27 May 2025, after reportedly falling ill during an interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra.

The development was confirmed by his legal representative, Andy Appiah-Kubi, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante-Akim North, who briefed journalists last night on his client’s health status.

 However, he declined to reveal the name or location of the medical facility, where his client was being treated.

“I know where he is, but I am not going to disclose the hospital. All I can say is that my client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” Appiah-Kubi stated yesterday.

“Chairman Wontumi” has a history of ending up in a hospital over such matters. In January last year, after weeks of being sought by the Manhyia Palace over remarks he made against the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, Chairman Wontumi was found in a hospital bed in pictures he circulated, depicting him as ill and on admission.

Weeks after, NPP leaders, including the National Chairman, Stephen Ayensu Ntim; National Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua; the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah; the then Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu; and the then Minister for Chieftaincy, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, went with him to the Asanteman Council, to plead on his behalf.

Lawyer Appiah-Kubi, further noted that the interrogation process had not been concluded. “We have given our statements. They made some allegations against him, and he responded. We haven’t finished with the interrogation, so we will return, hopefully on Wednesday, if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will remain in the hospital until discharged by the doctors before continuing,” he added.

Appiah-Kubi, also confirmed that his client had received a writ of summons from Exim Bank. “We are going to respond to the pleadings tomorrow. I am confident that we will be able to mount a defence,” he remarked.

Earlier that day, Chairman Wontumi honoured an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service regarding ongoing investigations into alleged illegal mining activities. On Monday, he was cautioned for reportedly operating without a licence, polluting water bodies, and unlawfully entering forest reserves.

Following his appearance at the CID headquarters, he was subsequently picked up by EOCO officials and taken to their premises for further questioning. The circumstances surrounding the arrest have fuelled allegations of political interference and persecution.

As usual, the incident triggered an immediate response from scores of NPP supporters and regional party executives, who massed outside EOCO’s headquarters demanding his release. The chaotic scene prompted the deployment of military personnel to bolster security and restore calm.

Senior figures within the NPP, including National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye and former Greater Accra Regional Minister Titus Glover, accused EOCO and the current government of employing state institutions to harass political opponents.

Speaking to the media, Nana Boakye decried what he termed “political harassment disguised as legal investigation.”

He warned that the party would not tolerate any attempt to weaponise law enforcement against its members. “We are a law-abiding political party. We’ve urged our members to cooperate with investigative bodies. But we will not sit idly by while our people are subjected to unfair treatment,” he declared.

Titus Glover was even more scathing in his criticism, alleging that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) was orchestrating a “violent political witch-hunt” against Wontumi.

He condemned the “Rambo-style” nature of the arrest and challenged EOCO to disclose the specific charges levelled against Wontumi, if any.

Security presence around EOCO remained heavy throughout the day as tensions escalated. At one point, frustrated NPP supporters surrounded police vehicles, banging on them in protest. Though the police exercised restraint, the standoff underscored the rising political tension.

As of Tuesday evening, EOCO had not issued an official statement explaining why Chairman Wontumi was arrested or detained, sparking widespread speculation.

Deputy NPP General Secretary Haruna Mohammed criticised EOCO’s handling of the matter and questioned whether due process had been followed.

“If EOCO wanted to invite him, they should have done so formally. I don’t know whether they picked him up with or without a warrant. This government cannot be trusted. They are using state security to intimidate us,” he said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the rule of law but insisted legal procedures must be respected.

 “We are not afraid of accountability, but it must be within the bounds of the law. He [Wontumi] is our chairman in the NPP’s stronghold. If they want to consume him, they must consume all of us,” he declared defiantly.

National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, demanded clarity regarding Wontumi’s detention and urged EOCO to communicate with transparency. “If you intend to keep him overnight, tell us. Give us a time to return. If it’s a criminal matter, we will listen. But if it’s political, we will stay here. We will not allow any political intimidation,” he said.

NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, also weighed in, calling on state institutions to uphold due process. “This Rambo-style arrest only seeks to instil fear. We urge EOCO and all agencies to act professionally,” he stated.

The NPP has issued a strong warning, vowing to resist what it sees as politically motivated intimidation, especially in the run-up to the December elections. Party leaders say their members will continue to support investigations – provided they are conducted lawfully and without political bias.

EOCO, has yet to break its silence on the matter.