General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, recently declared that the NPP “has solid lawyers” to defend its officials should they be arrested and prosecuted. This statement, made in relation to the arrest and release of Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), attempts to inspire confidence within the party’s base. However, it dangerously shifts public attention away from the deeper issue: the serious nature of the allegations being investigated.
1. Lawyers Do Not Guarantee Innocence
The presence of “solid lawyers” does not erase allegations or shield individuals from legal accountability. Legal defense is a right — not a badge of innocence. The ability to afford high-profile legal representation is common among political elites, but it does not change the facts under investigation.
In the case of Chairman Wontumi, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and international law enforcement agencies are reportedly probing him for:
Money laundering
Fraud
Causing financial loss to the state
Suspected involvement in an international organized crime scheme
These are not minor infractions. They are criminal offenses of national and international concern, and waving the party’s legal muscle in response seems more like damage control than a commitment to transparency and justice.
2. The Judiciary Is Independent — Or Should Be
Kodua’s tone suggests that having “enough lawyers” is sufficient to beat any charges — an implication that undermines the independence of the judiciary. The courts exist to uphold justice, not to serve as arenas for political gamesmanship.
Justice Srem Sai, the Deputy Attorney-General and a respected legal mind, confirmed via Facebook that Chairman Wontumi is the subject of “ongoing investigations,” including possible asset recovery efforts — a legal move that typically follows significant suspicion of financial wrongdoing.
Instead of encouraging full cooperation with EOCO and promoting transparency, Kodua’s assertion raises ethical questions about whether the party is more focused on legal shielding than on ensuring its members act with integrity.
3. Precedents Show Legal Teams Often Lose When the Facts Are Clear
This is not the first time political leaders have tried to project strength through legal readiness. However, facts have consistently trumped legal defense in cases with overwhelming evidence:
In 2021, former Public Procurement Authority (PPA) boss Adjenim Boateng Adjei, appointed under the NPP government, was investigated for corruption and conflict of interest. Despite legal efforts, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) found him guilty of breaching procurement laws and acquiring unexplained wealth.
In the infamous GYEEDA and SADA scandals, legal teams could not stop prosecutions and asset seizures once forensic audits and evidence came to light.
4. Money Laundering Is an International Crime – Local Lawyers Can’t Block Global Accountability
If Wontumi’s case truly involves international crime rings, as Deputy Attorney-General Srem Sai mentioned, then local party lawyers — no matter how “solid” — will have limited jurisdictional power. Ghana’s partnership with Interpol, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and global anti-corruption watchdogs means Chairman Wontumi could face pressure from outside Ghana’s courts as well.
5. A Better Response: Promote Accountability, Not Legal Defense
Rather than rallying around party lawyers, NPP leaders should be calling for internal investigations, compliance audits, and cooperation with EOCO. If Chairman Wontumi is innocent, transparency will clear him far better than any law firm can. If he is guilty, defending him blindly taints the party’s image and undermines public trust.
Conclusion – Justin Kodua Frimpong
While it is within Justin Kodua Frimpong’s right to reassure his party of legal support, his statement is misleading and counterproductive to the pursuit of justice. Ghana’s democracy is strengthened not by how well politicians are defended in court, but by how accountable they are to the law. Having “enough lawyers” is not the issue — having enough moral courage to let justice take its course is what truly matters.
