Tensions remain high at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra as supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) vow to stay put until the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is released from custody.

Scores of party members have besieged the EOCO headquarters following Wontumi’s arrest on Tuesday, May 27, shortly after he complied with a CID invitation in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The arrest has drawn strong criticism from senior party officials, who accuse the government of using state security institutions to harass political opponents.

Speaking to JoyNews at the scene, NPP Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, condemned the manner in which Wontumi was picked up, questioning whether EOCO followed due process.

“If EOCO wants to invite him, they know the rules—they should officially write to him. I don’t know whether they came to the CID premises and picked him up with or without a warrant,” he said.

“This government cannot be trusted. They want to use National Security to intimidate us. What at all do they want from former government appointees?”

Mr. Mohammed stated that the party is committed to accountability, but insisted that legal processes must be respected.

“We are a party that believes in the rule of law. We’re not going to run away from accountability, but it must be done within the dictates of the law. We are here, he [Wontumi] is our chairman of the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party. We are going to be here. If they want to consume him, they should consume all of us.”

Also speaking on the matter, the NPP National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, demanded clarity on Wontumi’s status.

He urged EOCO to communicate openly if the arrest would extend overnight.

“If you want to keep him overnight, tell us. Ask us to go home and reconvene at whatever time you give,” Mustapha said.

When asked what the supporters would do if EOCO informed them that Wontumi would be held overnight, he said, “We will examine the reasons. If it’s a criminal matter, we will listen. But if it’s political, we will remain here. We will not allow any political intimidation.”

The standoff follows hours of protests outside EOCO’s office, during which party supporters clashed with police and banged on security vehicles arriving at the scene.

As of Tuesday evening, there has been no official statement from EOCO regarding the grounds for Wontumi’s arrest.