Former Member of Parliament of Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has dismissed claims that Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, is a political prisoner. According to him, the convict is serving a sentence for breaching the country’s laws rather than for his political beliefs. Mr Fuseini, has rejected assertions that Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is a political prisoner, describing him instead as “a common convict.” Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, July 25, Mr Fuseini said the judgment against Wontumi had already been delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction, making it a matter open for public discussion, particularly as no appeal has yet been filed.
“My difficulty is that the senior lawyer who was involved in the case has offered himself to discuss the matter on television. He has indicated his intention to appeal, but until that appeal is filed, the matter is open for public discussion,” he said. He stressed that Wontumi’s conviction had nothing to do with his political affiliation or beliefs.
“First of all, let me state that Wontumi is not a political prisoner. Everybody should disabuse their minds of that notion. He is not a political prisoner; he is a common convict,” Mr Fuseini stated.
According to him, political prisoners are individuals jailed because of their political beliefs or ideological convictions, a description he argued does not fit Wontumi’s case. “How can you say somebody who has been found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated the laws of the country is a political prisoner? What political beliefs was he fighting for that sent him to prison?
What ideological persuasion was contrary to the existing constitutional order?” he questioned. Mr Fuseini urged the public to uphold the rule of law and avoid mischaracterising criminal convictions for political purposes. “As a country governed by laws, we should ensure honesty in the way we relate to facts and issues.
You may disagree with the judgment, but that does not mean we should label a common convict a political prisoner,” he added. READ ALSO: NDC rejects NPP’s ‘political prisoner’ claim, says Wontumi judgment proves wrongdoing He recalled that the defence in that case challenged the interpretation of Section 179 of the Criminal Offences Act by questioning … Professor of International Law at the University of Ghana, Kwadwo Appiagyei Atua, has rejected suggestions that New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, is a political prisoner.
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