A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Team, Benjamin Gyewu Appiah, has criticised the recent arrest and detention of some leading party members and former government officials by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), describing the development as a “bitter pill” NPP members are being forced to swallow.

Speaking on Metro TV on Friday, September 12, 2025, he argued that the arrests reflect selective justice, claiming similar incidents involving others in the past had gone unpunished.

“The kind of bitter pill being given to NPP members is called the EOCO pill, or EOCO bitters. We’ve had several instances where the likes of Ralph and others barged into Ridge Hospital, assaulted a nurse, and nothing was said about it,” he remarked.

Gyewu Appiah said he was only praying that, in the future, when members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) face a similar ordeal, they would have the energy to endure it.

I saw dead relatives and knew I was dying – Chairman Wontumi recounts EOCO ordeal

“I’m not a prophet of doom, but in the near future, some of these things may happen, and Ghanaians will come to understand that justice must cut across both sides,” he added.

Recent arrests and detentions by EOCO have included Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi, who is being investigated over alleged financial irregularities.

He was released after spending six days in custody.

Chairman Wontumi released by EOCO

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO), Abdul-Wahab Hanan, was also released from detention after spending two weeks in custody.

He is being investigated over allegations of financial impropriety, including tax evasion and money laundering.

Watch the video below

“Government is giving NPP members EOCO bitters. I only pray that when it’s the NDC’s turn, they’ll have the strength to take it.” - Benjamin Gewu-Appiah | Member, NPP National Communications Team#MetroNews pic.twitter.com/w9FUrcHOUi

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) September 12, 2025