Wontumi’s case: Police being massaged by ‘unseen hands’ – NPP

The New Patriotic Party is alleging ‘an unseen hands’ has massaged the Police in the Ashanti Region to detain its Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, overnight for a case of assault against him.

Mr Boasiako, turned himself in to the Police Tuesday after he was declared wanted, but was detained and subsequently charged with assaulting public officer. He is set to be arraigned Wednesday.

The firebrand party executive was declared wanted for allegedly assaulting Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Amankwah, and the Constituency Secretary, Felix Ibrahim on Sunday.

Mr. Boasiako popularly referred to as Chairman Wontumi, was refused bail Tuesday by the Police; a decision that caused supporters of the NPP to mass up at the Central Police Station in Kumasi where the chairman is being held.

The supporters led by some party executives and leading members including Maxwell Kofi Jumah vowed to remain at the Police station until their chairman is released on bail, TV3 Correspondents reported.

But a statement issued Tuesday night by the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Party, Samuel Pyne, expressed surprised at the treatment of Mr Boasiako by the Police in the case.

“The NPP in the Ashanti region expresses our greatest surprise as to how some unseen hands are trying to manipulate the police service in getting the Regional Chairman, Benard Antwi Boasiako, Wontumi behind bars,” the statement said.

It has however urged all party supporters to show solidarity to the cause of the party but cautioned them, particularly those who have thronged the Kumasi Central Police Station to eschew acts likely to spark violence

“Party supporters should show their solidarity to the cause of the party, but with caution not to embark on any actions that may lead to violence and that, they should stay assured that party leaders are in firm control of affairs.

Meanwhile, the Party claims the handling of the case goes to suggest “a clear distraction move by the National Democratic Congress to make gains in the Limited Registration Exercise”.

The party has thus cautioned its party agents and officials assigned to the various registration centres to monitor the exercise, which enters, second phase Wednesday to remain at post and “work diligently”