By Gifty Boateng
The visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) by Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), did not end well for the politician.
Even though his second day’s visit to the CID office was successful, he was grabbed just when he was exiting the headquarters of the Police CID in his car.
He is said to have gone to the police with his lawyer, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi after his first visit on Monday. Party faithful are unsure if he went to the EOCO office with him as some say they parted before the apprehension.
It is unclear why he was arrested but several allegations including invasion of forest reserves without license, have been leveled against Antwi-Boasiako alias Chairman Wontumi.
In his own words, he claimed in a recent interview that the sanctions that have been imposed on him by the Mahama administration, are heavier than the ones by the European Union (EU) against Russia. There are allegations of road and farming contracts which were not effected.
Party executives and supporters have begun massing up at the premises of EOCO expressing disappointment at the mode of arrest.
General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua in an interview on Joy FM, party’s regional chairman was arrested in a “Rambo-style” and “show you power” fashion. He said this creates unnecessary tension.
He wondered why all this will happen when President John Mahama had promised “a reset” and not to repeat acts of the past. National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye claimed Chairman Wontumi was arrested by armed and masked men in four pick up vehicles. He described the whole issue as “awkward” and “backward” as if he is a “terrorist”.
According to him even though they have been in the entrance of the Office for about 2 hours, no one is willing to talk to them. He assured they are going to remain there until they get the needed answers.
As a precautionary measures the Raymond Archer led EOCO, is reported to be manning the premises against any eventuality.
Report say there are about for armed men at the entrance who have refused to allow officials of the NPP in even after identifying them. Additional account also say there have been about three pickups full of uniform military officers serving as back up.
The party supporters have been cautioned to stay off the entrance of the Office.
A former Greater Accra Regional minister, Titus Nii Kwatei Glover has also found his way to the place while about 30 supporters have arrived to solidarise. They are said to be chanting Wontumi’s name, singing party songs and demanding he be released.