Thepatriotnewsonline.com confirm that former managing director of GIHOC Distilleries, Maxwell Kofi Jumah has been picked up by national security operatives at his Kumasi residence.The personnel arrived at Jumah’s home on Sunday (29 June) to effect the arrest after a request to speak with him.
Ashanti Regional Communication Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Paul Yandoh who confirmed the development said the officers “showed something on a phone they claimed was a warrant and insisted on arresting him immediately”.“They denied him the chance to change clothes before being taken away in a pickup vehicle to the Ashanti Regional Police Command. He is currently in custody awaiting further instructions from Accra”, Yandoh told Asaase News.
Three lawyers have since arrived to offer legal representation, but no formal charges have been communicated.
Additionally, neither the police nor any national security agency has officially claimed responsibility for the operation.
Political persecution
Yandoh described it as an act of “political persecution.”
“This is not the democracy we are building. It appears the President is using state institutions to suppress the opposition,” he stated.
The party’s Ashanti Regional Secretary has also been briefed and is reportedly on his way to the police station at the time of filing this report.
Earlier raid
On 15 May, security operatives stormed Jumah’s residence in an attempt to recover state vehicles reportedly in his possession.
He was not present at the time of the operation.
Reports suggest Jumah is under investigation for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure.
Key concerns include the questionable acquisition of company vehicles and unauthorized sale of assets.
A 2019 letter from the GIHOC Board approved Mr. Jumah’s purchase of a Genesis G90 sedan for GHS 4,943.11—just 5% of its value.
An independent valuation had pegged the car’s worth at nearly GHS 99,000. Investigators say the vehicle was in good condition with no major maintenance history.
He is also accused of holding on to two additional vehicles, including an Audi valued at over $60,000, one of which was reportedly used by his son. One of the vehicles has since been returned to Accra.
Further allegations involve unauthorized sale of GIHOC properties in Tema worth over $700,000 and claims of bloated staff numbers under his leadership. Investigations are still underway.
