Alexander Agyare is the NPP Member of Parliament for Kade

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kade, Alexander Agyare, has bemoaned the continued detention of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of his party, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

In a write-up sighted by GhanaWeb, Alexander Agyare asserted that the arrest and detention of the NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman bears semblance to an autocracy and not a democracy.

He wondered how ordinary citizens are going to be treated if Chairman Wontumi, whom he described as a “high-profile citizen”, can be dealt with in such a manner.

“The Minority’s march to EOCO was not just about Chairman Wontumi, it was about defending the rule of law and exposing abuse of power. His arrest was excessive, his detention unlawful, and the denial of legal access unacceptable.

“Ghana is a democracy, not a dictatorship. We don’t enforce laws with brute force and political bias. If a high-profile citizen can be treated this way, what hope does the ordinary Ghanaian have?” he queried.

“As a Member of Parliament, I strongly condemn the use of excessive force, demand an investigation into the officers involved, and urge our security services to act with professionalism and respect for rights. Ghana needs justice, not drama. Law, not intimidation. Peace, not fear,” the MP’s write-up concludes.

Chairman Wontumi was arrested and detained by EOCO after reporting to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

He was granted bail set at GH¢50 million with two sureties, both to be justified, after hours of interrogation.

Initial reports indicated that he was unable to meet the bail conditions, resulting in an extended stay in EOCO custody for an additional night.

However, Accra-based JoyNews reports that the politician has, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, managed to secure one surety, with only one remaining to fully satisfy the bail requirements.

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem Sai, has disclosed that Chairman Wontumi is under investigation for multiple criminal offences.

These include fraud, causing financial loss to the State, and money laundering.

In a statement posted on social media on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Justice Srem Sai revealed that Wontumi, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) since Tuesday, is also implicated in a second strand of investigation linked to a broader international organised crime scheme.

The Deputy Attorney General emphasised that EOCO is collaborating closely with international law enforcement partners to probe this complex network of alleged criminal activities.

BAI/MA

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