Heavy Security Deployment at EOCO Over Wontumi’s Custody

Security measures have been significantly heightened at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) headquarters in Accra in the wake of the recent arrest of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, better known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Wontumi was apprehended again by EOCO agents on Tuesday, May 27, shortly after he complied with a summons from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning as part of an ongoing inquiry, the specific details of which remain undisclosed.

The arrest triggered an immediate and forceful response from the NPP, prompting a large contingent of party supporters and regional executives to gather at the EOCO facility. Many in the crowd vocally expressed their discontent, chanting slogans in support of Wontumi and demanding his release. This influx of supporters contributed to an increasingly tense atmosphere outside the compound.

In response to the rising tensions, EOCO took the precautionary step of calling in military personnel to bolster security around the premises. Armed officers were deployed to key entry points, while additional patrols were conducted to manage the crowd and prevent any potential escalation of violence. The atmosphere turned even more charged when two police pickup trucks arrived, prompting a group of upset supporters to surround the vehicles while banging on them in protest. Despite the volatile situation, police officers executed restraint and ultimately managed to drive the trucks away from the gathering.

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The recent incident adds to the growing political unrest within the NPP, which has accused law enforcement agencies of employing aggressive tactics intended to intimidate party members. NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua publicly condemned EOCO's handling of the situation, urging state institutions to adhere to due process and to refrain from politically motivated actions.

As of Tuesday evening, Wontumi remained in EOCO custody, and officials have not yet provided a formal statement outlining the reasons behind his re-arrest. However, legal analysts speculate that it may relate to allegations of money laundering linked to his purported involvement in illegal mining operations. The case has the potential to escalate political tensions and raise questions about the intersection of law enforcement and politics in Ghana.