Chairman Wontumi hospitalised after arrest – Lawyer says interrogation suspended

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, has been hospitalised after being arrested and interrogated by state security personnel.

His legal team confirmed the development late on Monday, May 27, sparking public concern and internal party outrage. The NPP has described the circumstances surrounding his arrest as “intimidatory” and politically motivated.

Hospitalisation Confirmed After Interrogation

Speaking to the media after several hours of back-and-forth with police and state security agencies, lawyer Andy Appiah-Kubi, who is also the NPP Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North, revealed that Wontumi fell ill during the interrogation session.

“My client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment,” Appiah-Kubi said in a somber tone.

According to him, the interrogation, which was ongoing at the time, had to be put on hold due to Wontumi’s sudden health complications.

“We haven’t finished with the interrogation, so we will come back to continue — hopefully tomorrow, if his condition improves. Otherwise, he will remain there until doctors discharge him.”

Circumstances Surrounding the Arrest

The situation escalated dramatically earlier in the day when Wontumi, who had honoured an invitation from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra, was suddenly picked up by heavily armed, masked officers. According to party insiders, he was at the CID office cooperating with investigations when he was unexpectedly whisked away under what they called “frightening and suspicious” circumstances.

“It was like a scene from a movie,” one party insider at the CID office told reporters. “We were talking with the officers, then suddenly masked men came and took him away. No warning, no explanation.”

The identity of the masked officers is still unclear, but sources suggest they were members of a special national security task force.

What Are the Allegations?

As of now, the full details of the allegations against Wontumi have not been made public, but Mr Appiah-Kubi noted that the police had put forward “some allegations”, to which Wontumi had already responded.

“He was cooperating. He answered their questions. But it was clear that this was not just a routine matter. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes,” the MP said.

He declined to go into specifics, citing legal reasons, but added that there was no justification for the level of force used during his client’s detention.

Civil Suit from Exim Bank Adds to Legal Pressure

As if the criminal investigation was not enough, Chairman Wontumi is now also facing a civil lawsuit.

Mr Appiah-Kubi revealed that on the same day of the arrest, Wontumi was served with a writ of summons from Exim Bank Ghana. The details of the lawsuit are yet to be made public, but it is believed to be connected to alleged unpaid financial obligations involving a business owned by the NPP Chairman.

“We have received a writ of summons from Exim Bank and we are going to respond to the pleadings tomorrow,” he said. “We are very hopeful that we’ll be able to mount a strong defence.”

Mr Appiah-Kubi made it clear that his client’s legal team views the Exim Bank matter as civil in nature, and will treat it separately from the ongoing criminal investigation.

“This is one of a supposed criminal investigation, but I am confident that we will be able to put up a defence. The Exim Bank issue is a civil matter, and that’s how we will respond to it in court,” he stressed.

NPP Blows Alarm: “This Is Political Intimidation”

Inside the New Patriotic Party, tensions are rising fast. Several party leaders have condemned the arrest and described it as part of a larger agenda to silence opposition voices.

Henry Nana Boakye, the NPP National Organiser, was one of the first to speak out. He described the operation as “reminiscent of the dark days of Ghana’s political past.”

“What happened to Chairman Wontumi today is shameful. It looks more like political intimidation than lawful investigation,” Nana Boakye said.

He added that Wontumi has been a vocal critic of the government, and his arrest raises concerns about the shrinking space for free political expression in the country.

“We are heading into dangerous territory. Today it’s Wontumi. Tomorrow, who knows?”

Other NPP members have also called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Security Minister to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Legal Team: We Will Not Be Intimidated

Despite the legal and health challenges, Mr Appiah-Kubi insisted that the defence team is ready to fight on all fronts.

“We are cooperating. We believe in the rule of law. But let no one think we will be intimidated,” he declared.

He said they are working closely with doctors to monitor Wontumi’s condition and will appear in court “in full strength” to respond to both the criminal and civil matters.

“We are prepared for every aspect of this case — civil, criminal or political,” he added.

Public Concern and Political Fallout

Across Ghana, reactions have been pouring in. On social media, many have expressed concern about the use of masked officers in civilian arrests and the lack of transparency in the process.

Others have called for a full investigation into the incident, especially as no formal charges have been made public.

Political analysts say the case could become a major political storm, especially in an election year when parties are preparing for internal contests and national campaigns.

“This will shake the political landscape,” one analyst said. “Wontumi is not just any politician. He’s a regional power broker, especially in the Ashanti Region.”

The Ashanti Region remains the stronghold of the NPP, and Wontumi has played a crucial role in securing high voter turnout for the party in the past three elections.

Any attempt to sideline him, party faithful say, will be seen as an attack on the base of the party itself.

What Happens Next?

For now, all eyes are on the hospital where Wontumi is being treated. His doctors are yet to release a formal statement, but close aides say he is “resting and under observation.”

The CID is also expected to resume questioning once his health improves, while his legal team prepares to respond to the Exim Bank lawsuit in court this week.