The attorney for the struggling Ashanti Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, has confirmed that his client has been admitted to the hospital. This came after state security officers detained and interrogated him. After hours of police and court hearings, Andy Appiah-Kubi, an attorney and NPP MP, told reporters that Wontumi fell ill during the interview and was sent to a hospital for medical attention. "My client has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment," he disclosed. If he feels better, which should be tomorrow, we will come back to continue the interview. Otherwise, he will remain there until the doctors give him the all-clear.
The sudden shift in events follows Chairman Wontumi's detention under what NPP leaders have described as "intimidating" circumstances. According to party officials, Wontumi was answering questions at the CID headquarters after accepting a police invitation when he was suddenly escorted away by highly armed, masked men and placed under arrest for further investigation. Even though the details of the charges against him are still unknown, Mr. Appiah-Kubi claimed that the police had "preferred some allegations" against his client, to which he had already responded. However, the interrogation was interrupted due to his deteriorating condition. When Mr. Appiah-Kubi revealed that Wontumi had received a writ of summons from Exim Bank earlier in the day, it introduced a civil law element to the unfolding scenario.
We will address the pleas tomorrow, he confirmed. This afternoon, Exim Bank also sent us a writ of summons. We are really optimistic that we will be able to defend ourselves. He was keen to distinguish between the current case's criminal and civil features. "This is a part of a criminal investigation, but I am sure we can mount a defense," he said. Since we consider the Exim Bank problem to be a civil matter, we will take it to court. Wontumi's condition exacerbates a politically sensitive situation that has already sparked intense feelings inside the NPP. Several party leaders, including National Organiser Henry Boakye, have denounced the detention as politically motivated and reminiscent of the "dark days" of political harassment.
While the party awaits more details about Wontumi's health and legal status, Mr. Appiah-Kubi emphasized that the NPP will not be coerced into remaining silent and will continue to be involved in the process. He declared, "We're cooperating and we're in favor of the rule of law."