Wontumi case: Two prosecution witnesses given police protection after death threats

Two key prosecution witnesses in the case involving former Ashanti Regional NPP chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, have been placed under police protection following death threats.

Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai said the threats had intensified since Mr Boasiako's conviction, with the two witnesses and police investigators among those being targeted.

"Yeah, we've given them police protection," he told Joy News' PM Express.

Justice Srem-Sai said the witnesses had been receiving threats on a daily basis.

"Our witnesses are every day threatened with death. The two star witnesses and even the police investigators... they threaten everybody," he said.

He added that members of the prosecution's legal team, including himself, had also received threats.

The deputy attorney general said he regarded all threats as serious, including those directed at him personally.

He said, however, that he did not consider it necessary to publicise every threat, warning that doing so could encourage attempts to use intimidation to frustrate the enforcement of the law.

Justice Srem-Sai said threats were not unique to the Wontumi case.

Prosecutors, judges and lawyers involved in serious criminal cases, including murder and armed robbery trials, also faced threats, he said.

"My attorneys receive such threats every day, and not only in this case," he said. "Judges receive their share of the threats. It comes with the territory."

'Physical protection has limits'

Justice Srem-Sai said he relied on both security measures and his Christian faith for his own safety.

He acknowledged that state protection was important but said there were limits to the level of physical security that could be provided.

"The point I'm making is that there is a limit to how much physical protection you can get," he said.

He added that he ultimately relied on his faith for peace of mind.

"I commit myself to the hands of the Lord," he said.

The disclosure comes amid heightened tensions following the conviction of Chairman Wontumi and growing scrutiny of the prosecution's handling of the case.

The identities of the two witnesses have not been disclosed.