The growing trend of mass gatherings by party supporters whenever a politician or party activist is under criminal investigation is a serious affront to the rule of law, according to security analyst Richard Kumadoe. He emphasized that such actions could result in arrests, as they amount to obstruction of security officers performing their official duties.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, a morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra, Kumadoe stressed the importance of all citizens being law-abiding and respecting any legal notice served to them.
“The culture of taking the law into one’s own hands and behaving as though one is above the law must stop,” Kumadoe said. He criticized the increasing tendency of political party supporters to interfere with lawful arrests, saying no citizen has the right to dictate to security agencies how arrests should be conducted.
“Such protests by party supporters are not only unacceptable but also dangerous to our democratic values,” he added.
Kumadoe called for improved synergy between law enforcement and government institutions to strengthen the country’s democratic framework. “There must be legal representation for everyone, but at the same time, the law must be allowed to take its course,” he concluded.
In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has been picked up by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for further questioning.
Chairman Wontumi had earlier appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Tuesday, May 27, to assist with ongoing investigations. According to sources, EOCO officials took him into custody after his CID visit for additional inquiries.
While the exact details of the investigation have not been disclosed, Chairman Wontumi had previously been cautioned on Monday, May 26, for allegedly engaging in mining operations without a license, polluting water bodies, and unlawfully entering a forest reserve.
In a press release issued that Monday, the CID confirmed that Mr. Antwi-Boasiako reported to their Accra headquarters at noon, accompanied by a legal team led by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame. He cooperated fully with investigators, submitted a formal statement, and was granted bail with instructions to return the following day.
Following his interrogation, Chairman Wontumi spoke to journalists and denied any involvement in illegal mining or improper financial dealings with COCOBOD. He maintained that his mining operations were in full compliance with legal requirements.
Story by: Alexander Kukah
