Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, a Spokesperson for incarcerated former Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has said some Ghanaians do not believe he is in prison.
According to Palgrave Boakye Danquah, Wontumi was sent to Nsawam on the same day he was sentenced.
He further revealed that Wontumi is not happy with where he is.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Dr Boakye Danquah stated, “People still don’t believe Chairman Wontumi is in prison, but the truth is he is there and not happy with where he is”.
“On the day he was sentenced, he went straight to Nsawam prison after all the processes were completed”.
He added, “However, Wontumi had no grace period, and very soon, he would have served three months in prison”.
“What sent Wontumi to Nsawam was no case,” he
He further noted that Wontumi’s lawyer has filed an appeal against the sentence.
“We have filed an appeal, and by next week, we will go to court,” he added.
“During the legal vacation, there was a Zoom hearing, and the judge heard nine cases. Wontumi was the 10th person, but just when it got to his turn, the judge said he was sick and closed,” she said.
“I am really sad all this is happening,” she said.
Palgrave Boakye’s comments come on the heels of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent decision to grant presidential pardons to some convicts.
The announcement has since sparked interest in the status of several high-profile individuals who may have been considered for clemency, including Chairman Wontumi.
A statement signed by Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that the decision was taken in accordance with Article 72(1) of the 1992 Constitution and follows consultations with the Council of State.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated, “The pardon forms part of the commemoration of the significant national milestone and is intended to mark the occasion with an act of mercy and national reflection.”
The statement revealed that the largest group to benefit involves 819 first-time offenders, who have been granted outright release.
Also, thirteen convicted persons aged 70 years and above have been granted outright release, with six persons serving life sentences having their sentences commuted to 20 years.
Additionally, 11 persons on death sentence will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, with six seriously ill prisoners granted outright release, while two persons have also been released following special recommendations.
The statement also disclosed that three other cases were considered under petitions, with three additional persons falling under other categories.
Earlier, Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah also touched on President John Dramani Mahama granting some 863 convicted persons a presidential pardon.
According to Wontumi’s team, they are yet to receive official confirmation on whether Wontumi is among the 863 convicted persons granted a presidential pardon.
Speaking on President Mahama’s presidential pardon, Dr Boakye Danquah said the team had not received any formal communication confirming that Wontumi is among those covered by the President’s decision.
He stressed that they would refrain from concluding until the relevant authorities officially communicate the names and categories of persons covered by the pardon.
Dr Boakye Danquah stated, “We don’t have the fine details yet, and so if we are yet to be communicated to, we will let the public know. Our prayer and consideration will be that if we would have our name anywhere at all, it would be within the Special Recommendation or Petition category.”
He, however, disclosed that their immediate priority is to secure bail for Wontumi on October 15, pending the determination of his appeal.
“We are just praying that the appeal goes through and also we are praying that the bail pending the appeal goes through”, he stated.
@ghnow_ Hon. Vincent Assafuah has questioned why individuals who were not NSA staff were allegedly issued visas under the National Sports Authority. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
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