Dr Palgrave Boakye Danquah, spokesperson for Chairman Wontumi, says the former Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman told him that five inmates had allegedly planned to poison him at Nsawam Prison.
Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, October 27, Dr Boakye Danquah said the allegation had been reported to prison authorities and that an investigation was under way.
He said Mr Wontumi, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, received information suggesting that the inmates intended to poison him while he was in custody.
According to Dr Boakye Danquah, the commander of Nsawam Prison had ordered an inquiry and arranged for the five inmates to be moved to different prisons while the investigation continued.
“He [Wontumi] confirmed to me today when he mentioned over the weekend that there were five purported inmates who were planning to poison him and so I spoke to the Commander and he says that he has instructed for investigations to be held and has put side those inmates to different prisons and so investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Dr Boakye Danquah said Chairman Wontumi was in good health and remained optimistic that his application for bail would succeed.
“Chairman Wontumi is fine and in good spirit and hoping his bail application will be granted,” he said.
The alleged poisoning plan has not been independently verified.
Dr Boakye Danquah also repeated Mr Wontumi’s call for broad reforms to Ghana’s prison system. He said the system should place greater emphasis on the welfare of convicts, rehabilitation and their reintegration into society.
Mr Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of permitting mining operations on his Samreboi concession without the consent of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
He is appealing both his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal and has applied for temporary release while that process is under way.
