Wontumi’s Arrest Sends Troubling Signal for Democracy – Nalerigu/Gambaga MP Criticizes ND
The Member of Parliament for Nalerigu/Gambaga, Nurudeen Mohammed Mumuni, has sounded an alarm over what he describes as a worrying erosion of democratic accountability following the recent arrest and prolonged detention of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
Chairman Wontumi, who serves as the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was apprehended on Tuesday, May 27, by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. He was later handed over to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for further investigation into allegations of financial impropriety involving the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank).
Although EOCO granted him bail to the tune of GH¢50 million with two sureties required to justify their capacity, Wontumi remains in custody due to his legal team’s inability to meet the conditions. The failure to secure his release within 48 hours, as required by the Constitution, has sparked criticism from various quarters, including lawmakers, civil society, and sections of the public.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on May 29, MP Nurudeen Mumuni expressed deep concerns about the political and constitutional implications of the situation. He cautioned that Wontumi’s continued detention beyond the lawful period not only undermines the rule of law but also signals the emergence of a dangerous precedent.
“We are already past the 48-hour constitutional limit for detaining someone without trial or formal charges. This goes against the principles of due process and is deeply concerning for our democracy. What we are witnessing could open the door to political abuse of state institutions,” Mumuni said.
The lawmaker further expressed fears that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) may be setting a harmful example that could escalate political tensions in the future. He warned that should such practices become normalized, future governments may retaliate by targeting opposition figures and businessmen perceived to be affiliated with the NDC.
“If tomorrow, the NPP takes power and adopts the same methods to go after businesspeople aligned with the NDC, what then? That kind of political tit-for-tat is not what Ghana needs. We must avoid turning our democracy into a game of revenge,” he stressed.
Mumuni also took the opportunity to call for greater independence and professionalism from national investigative and prosecutorial bodies. He cautioned EOCO and similar agencies against allowing themselves to be used as tools of political persecution.
“Our institutions must be above partisan influence. EOCO must be seen as serving justice impartially, not as acting at the behest of political powers. If the public begins to perceive these bodies as biased, trust in governance will be severely eroded,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi’s legal team has confirmed that they are actively working to meet the bail conditions, but the GH¢50 million requirement—along with the stipulation that sureties justify the source and value of their assets—has proven difficult to fulfill within a short timeframe.
The incident has already sparked public demonstrations. Earlier in the week, members of the NPP’s Minority Caucus staged a protest outside EOCO’s Accra offices, calling for Wontumi’s immediate release and condemning what they believe to be political targeting. The protest caused significant traffic disruption and drew national attention to the issue.
As political tensions continue to rise, observers are urging restraint and strict adherence to the rule of law. Many, like MP Mumuni, argue that the legitimacy of Ghana’s democratic institutions depends on how fairly and transparently they operate—especially in politically sensitive cases.
For now, Chairman Wontumi remains in custody as his lawyers work to secure his release. Meanwhile, the debate over justice, partisanship, and institutional integrity continues to intensify.
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