Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi has justified the heavily armed security operation at the residence of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), comparing the approach to pursuing a wild dog.
A joint team of National Investigations Bureau (NIB) operatives and police officers stormed Wontumi’s residence in the early hours of Friday, armed with a search warrant authorising the operation.
While the warrant’s specifics remain undisclosed, Mr Terlabi described it as part of an “intelligence-led” investigation.
The raid triggered a tense standoff as NPP supporters mobilised to block any arrest attempt, raising concerns about excessive force.
Opposition leaders have likened the incident to recent raids on former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and the immediate past Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Ernest Addison, calling it a pattern of intimidation.
However, Deputy Minister Terlabi dismissed the criticisms, stating, “You don’t go to catch a wild dog without arming yourself.”
He emphasised that security protocols were followed, with preparations made for potential resistance.
Mr Terlabi believes the processes were in order, with adequate preparation for any unexpected fallouts.
In an interview with Citi FM several hours after the incident, the Deputy Minister for the Interior stated, “The security services are on top of their job; they know what they are about and there is nobody in this country who is above the law.”
Specifically on the Rambo-style approach, which has irked the opposition party, Mr Terlabi responded.
“I am sure you and I will call the security services names if they go there unprepared… the kind of things he [Wontumi] says on air to the extent that even there was a time he was throwing a challenge to the security personnel and the sitting President… in the event that he was trying to do something untoward, the security services must be prepared; that is not to say that they were going there to shoot him down.”
“Because the gentleman in question has made all manner of statements… if you are to go and catch a wild dog, you don’t go there without arming yourself.”
He observed that if “Wontumi is on the radar and they want him, nobody can prevent them from getting him to come and answer questions.”
“Yes, the information is that the security team went there. I am yet to get the details, but what I am saying is that they did not go to Wontumi’s house without intel, and I don’t think I can share all those details on air,” he explained.
According to him, “They did not go there to go and kill him; they went there to invite him, so if at the end of the day, they decided otherwise that he should be brought on Monday, so be it.”
He said there should be no attempt to obstruct law enforcement officers from doing their job as he advised critics to take the matter to court if they feel aggrieved.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse show the same day, Mr. Terlabi warned those encouraging party supporters to gather in large numbers at locations where security officers are legally performing their duties to stay away.
“Those who are calling party full soldiers to amass at the various places where the security are legally doing their duty should stay away,” he said.
He added, “Let’s allow the security services to do their work. If you think there is something wrong, I am surprised; it wasn’t too long ago when Ahiagbah and co. were telling us to go to court. They should go to court if they think the security services aren’t performing well or not performing their duties properly.”
Emphasising that the courts are the proper avenue for addressing grievances, he reiterated, “I don’t think that this is something that we should be doing outside of the courts. They should go to court if they think that what is going on is wrong, but that will not stop the security services from doing their duty.”
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