Court Remands NPP Sympathiser Over Assault on Journalist During Protest Over Wontumi’s detention by EOCO

A 55-year-old sympathiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Theophilus Kpakpo Thompson, has been remanded into police custody after being charged with assault and issuing death threats against a JoyNews journalist during a protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra.

Thompson, who appeared before the Accra Circuit Court on Monday, June 9, pleaded not guilty to two counts: assault and threat of death.

He is expected to reappear on June 18, 2025. The court heard that Thompson not only physically attacked the journalist, Latif Iddrisu, but also made chilling threats, saying, “Today is your last day; we know where you are coming from and we know what we can do.”

The incident occurred on May 27, during a heated protest by NPP supporters following the arrest of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, by EOCO.

According to Chief Inspector Olivia Ofori-Atta, the journalist was at the scene to provide live coverage for the 7:00 p.m. news bulletin when the crowd turned hostile, accusing him of biased reporting.

The accused and other unidentified supporters reportedly hit Iddrisu on the head and ribs, hurled stones, and spat on him, leaving the reporter with injuries later confirmed in a medical report.

Police say video footage reviewed as part of the investigation clearly identified Thompson as one of the assailants. He was arrested at James Town in Accra on June 7, after police acted on intelligence.

In a further twist, Iddrisu has also filed a fresh complaint against another individual who allegedly attempted to coerce him into withdrawing the case.

Meanwhile, police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects captured in the video.

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