Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a senior aide to former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, says some inmates allegedly attempted to poison the politician in prison.
Mr Boakye-Danquah made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 27, during an interview with Sammie Wiafe on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, as Wontumi marked 100 days in prison.
He said Wontumi informed him of the alleged incident when he appeared in court on Tuesday, adding that prison authorities had begun investigations into the matter.
“Chairman is okay. We haven’t received any medical reports from the doctors. But I have received indications that over the past week, some prison inmates attempted to poison him,” he said.
“And so I’ve been informed that there are some investigations that are ongoing to make sure that they verify the truth or otherwise of that,” he said.
He said he had also spoken to the prison commander, who assured him that the matter was being investigated.
“He mentioned that to me today when he came to court, and I have spoken to the commander, and the commander said he has asked them to investigate the matter, so he will come back to me on that issue. This attempted poisoning of his life happened a few days ago,” he added.
Mr Boakye-Danquah, however, did not provide further details about the alleged incident or the possible motive behind it. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Wontumi is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted of permitting mining activities on his Samreboi concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
He is seeking temporary release while he challenges his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal.
