Prisons Service disputes claim five inmates relocated over alleged plot to poison Wontumi

The Ghana Prisons Service has disputed claims that five inmates at Nsawam Prison have been relocated to different cells following an alleged plot to poison convicted former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The denial follows claims by Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, an aide to Mr Wontumi, that the inmates had been moved after allegedly discussing plans to poison the politician.

Speaking to Myjoyonline, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, CSP Abdul Latif, said he could not confirm that any inmates had been relocated in connection with the alleged plot.

“No, I cannot confirm that,” he said when asked specifically about the reported transfer of the five inmates.

Mr Latif, however, confirmed that the Service had launched investigations into the alleged poisoning plot after Mr Wontumi’s spokesperson brought the matter to the attention of prison authorities.

He stressed that Mr Wontumi had not personally reported the alleged incident to the authorities.

“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. It's something that the PRO has said,” he explained.

He said the Service had initiated investigations to establish the facts and determine what action, if necessary, should be taken.

“By that, we have also set up investigations to launch investigations into the matter, to find out first and foremost the truth in that matter. And if it has any truth, then we will know the steps to take to avoid that,” he added.

Mr Latif said reports of inmates attempting to poison fellow prisoners or prison officers were uncommon, but the Service was treating the allegation seriously.

“Let me state on record that I can't even remember the last time we reported such an incident of inmates trying to poison fellow inmates or even officers,” he said.

He added that the allegation had surprised prison authorities, but investigations were necessary because the facility housed people whose safety had to be protected.

Despite the allegations, Mr Latif assured the public that Mr Wontumi was safe in custody.

“But we can say that Wontumi is safe and there's nothing to worry about when it comes to his security in the prison,” he said.

Dr Boakye-Danquah had earlier told Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem that five inmates had been moved to a different cell after someone allegedly overheard them discussing a plan to poison Mr Wontumi.

According to the aide, the person alerted Mr Wontumi, who subsequently informed him about the alleged threat during a conversation following a court appearance on Tuesday, October 27.

Dr Boakye-Danquah said he contacted the officer in charge of the prison, who confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that a committee had been set up to probe the matter.

However, the Prisons Service has not confirmed the alleged relocation of the five inmates.

Mr Wontumi, the former Ashanti Regional NPP chairman, is serving a 20-year prison sentence following his conviction for permitting mining activities on his Samreboi mining concession without approval from the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.