Minority’s Protest Over Wontumi’s Detention Unnecessary and Exaggerated – Prof. Appiagyei-Atua

University of Ghana law lecturer, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has criticised the Minority in Parliament for what he described as an excessive and unnecessary reaction to the ongoing detention of NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely known as Chairman Wontumi.

Wontumi was detained on May 27 by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), after an earlier arrest by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. Although he was granted bail of GHC50 million on May 28, with conditions reportedly fulfilled by May 30, his release has been delayed due to a pending High Court application seeking a review of the bail terms.

In protest, Minority MPs walked out of Parliament on May 29 and staged a sit-in at EOCO headquarters, claiming Wontumi should have been granted self-recognizance bail given his public status and low flight risk.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on May 31, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua dismissed the protest as political posturing, stating that it added unnecessary drama to the situation and risked undermining the rule of law.

“Instead of following legal channels, they chose to leave Parliament and stage a protest, which I believe was more about creating a spectacle,” he said. “It was over the top and could have incited lawlessness—as seen in the reported assault of a journalist.”

He also voiced concern over the conduct of some protesting MPs, particularly those with legal backgrounds, for ignoring legal protocols in favour of a political demonstration.

“These MPs understand the legal processes, yet they chose theatrics, which sends the wrong message and politicizes the issue,” he added.

The case continues to attract public attention. On May 30, tensions rose further when NPP supporters blocked a road near the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) after Wontumi was transferred there. A delegation of senior NPP figures, including the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was also reportedly denied access to Wontumi during a visit to the facility.