The protest by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has intensified as Minority MPs have staged a dramatic sit-down, demanding the immediate release of Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi.
The protest, which began with a march from Parliament to EOCO’s head office in Accra on Thursday, escalated as Minority MPs, led by their Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, sat on the floor in symbolic defiance of what they described as “unreasonable” bail conditions imposed on their embattled colleague.
Chairman Wontumi, who was arrested earlier this week and interrogated by EOCO, was later granted bail of GH¢50 million with two sureties to be justified, a condition party members claim is excessive and politically motivated.
“Those in charge must be professional. What is happening to Wontumi can happen to me tomorrow, it can happen to my respected senior here tomorrow… Enough is enough.”
The MPs and supporters insisted they would not leave until EOCO reviews and varies the bail terms to make them more reasonable and until Wontumi is released.
Reports from the scene indicated rising tension as party supporters blocked nearby roads with car tyres. A police riot control vehicle that attempted to access the EOCO premises was obstructed by a pick-up truck, leading to a standoff between the aggrieved party supporters and security officers.
Despite police efforts to engage with the crowd and restore order, the protesters stood their ground, chanting and refusing to disperse.
