Former Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, has condemned the forceful tactics employed by security personnel during the attempted arrest of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, May 26, Sorogho said the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) could have handled the situation differently by pursuing legal channels, such as obtaining a court order, instead of deploying a large contingent of heavily armed officers to Wontumi’s residence.
“Wontumi was invited, and he refused to honour the invitation. I am not in favour of so many armed men going after one person. To me, it is not because the state is powerful than the individual. There are so many avenues that you can call the person, and if the person doesn’t come, you can even go to court,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the security agencies may have acted within their legal bounds by obtaining a warrant, Sorogho questioned the manner in which the operation was carried out, raising concerns about the necessity and proportionality of the force used.
“But I am happy that they went with the warrant. Maybe the mode is what I am talking about, but not the actual deed itself,” he added.
Chairman Wontumi is expected to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service today, Monday, May 26, 2025. His appearance follows a failed attempt by a joint team of National Security operatives and police officers to arrest him at his residence on Friday, May 23.
The incident sparked outrage among NPP supporters, who gathered in large numbers at Wontumi’s residence to protest what they described as an act of intimidation. Many expressed concern over the deployment of heavily armed personnel, accusing the state of resorting to excessive force.
Although the specific reason for the attempted arrest has not been officially disclosed, reports indicate that during Friday’s standoff, Wontumi assured the officers that he would voluntarily report to the CID on May 26.
Bryan Acheampong ready to redeem NPP – Appiah-Kubi