The Ghana Prisons Service has rejected claims that five inmates at Nsawam Prison were moved to different cells following an alleged plot to poison former New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The denial comes after Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, an aide to Mr Wontumi, alleged that the inmates had been relocated after discussions about poisoning the politician were overheard.
Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Abdul Latif, told JoyNews that he could not confirm any such relocation of inmates in connection with the alleged plot.
He, however, confirmed that the Service had launched investigations into the matter after Mr Wontumi’s spokesperson brought it to the attention of prison authorities. Mr Latif stressed that the complaint did not come directly from Mr Wontumi himself.
“It’s something that the spokesperson of Wontumi drew the attention of the Prison authorities to. But let me repeat that, it’s not a complaint coming from Wontumi himself directly to the Prison authorities,” he said.
Mr Latif explained that investigations had been set up to establish the truth of the allegation and determine what steps, if any, should be taken.
He noted that reports of inmates attempting to poison fellow prisoners or officers were uncommon, adding that he could not recall the last time such an incident was reported. The Service was nevertheless treating the claim seriously because the facility housed people whose safety must be protected.
Despite the allegations, Mr Latif assured the public that Mr Wontumi remained safe in custody.
“We can say that Wontumi is safe and there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to his security in the prison,” he stated.
Earlier, Dr Boakye-Danquah had told Adom FM that five inmates were moved after someone overheard them discussing a plan to poison Mr Wontumi. According to the aide, the person informed Mr Wontumi, who later shared the alleged threat with him after a court appearance on Tuesday, 27th October. Dr Boakye-Danquah said he contacted the officer in charge of the prison, who confirmed that investigations were ongoing and a committee had been set up.
The Prisons Service has not confirmed the claimed relocation of the five inmates.
Mr Wontumi is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted for permitting mining activities on his Samreboi mining concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.
