Wontumi’s arrest: Bawumia calls for due process

Former Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed strong concern over the arrest and continued detention of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

In a statement issued Wednesday, May 28, Dr. Bawumia questioned the transparency of the process, noting that the charges against Wontumi remain unclear and that his whereabouts are still unknown.

“I am deeply concerned about the arrest and continued detention of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako (Wontumi), particularly as the charges remain vague, and his whereabouts remain unknown,” Bawumia stated.

While affirming that no individual is above the law, Dr. Bawumia stressed that constitutional protections must apply to all Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliation or status.

“In a democratic environment as ours, no individual is above the law. Equally, no Ghanaian… should ever be denied their constitutional rights. Justice and due process are not optional; they are the foundation of our democracy,” he added.

The former Vice President also revealed that he has been in regular contact with Wontumi’s legal team to ensure that the NPP chairman’s rights are not violated.

Dr. Bawumia further urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and other state institutions involved in the matter to strictly adhere to legal and constitutional procedures, warning that failure to do so could erode public trust in the justice system.

“Any deviation from these principles risks undermining public trust in our justice system and weakening the democratic values we have worked hard to build,” he cautioned.

He reiterated the need for Ghana to remain a country governed by law rather than arbitrary actions, stating, “our Republic is strongest when our institutions are both firm and fair.”