The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Badiako, has weighed in on the recent attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the lawmaker for Manhyia South, Baffour Awuah. According to Badiako, what he saw in the video of the EOCO official and Baffour Awuah was not an arrest, but rather an invitation. He stated that arresting a person, especially a lawmaker, follows a process in the criminal justice system.
Badiako's comments come after a video of the incident, which took place on September 23, 2026, at the Accra High Court Complex, went viral. In the video, an EOCO official can be seen attempting to arrest Baffour Awuah, who was representing a client in court. Badiako argued that the EOCO official did not follow the proper procedure for arresting a lawmaker, which involves obtaining permission from the Speaker of Parliament.
Other legal practitioners have also weighed in on the issue. Private legal practitioner Kofi Bentil described the attempted arrest as "incompetent and unlawful." He was echoed by Martin Kpebu, who argued that it is legally allowed to resist an unlawful arrest. Kpebu stated that the EOCO was wrong in its approach and should have written to the Speaker of Parliament to request Baffour Awuah's arrest.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also criticized the EOCO's actions. Communications Team Member Kwasi Kwarteng described the timing and manner of the attempted arrest as "poor, unintelligent, and unwise." He argued that the EOCO's actions were damaging to the government and that the leadership of the organization should be reviewed.
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has also expressed concern over the incident. In a statement dated September 24, 2026, the GBA urged the EOCO and all state institutions to ensure their operations respect due process, fairness, and individual rights. The association argued that lawyers must enjoy the freedom to defend clients of their choice without facing harassment.
The GBA's National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, has previously spoken out on the issue of lawyers being harassed while defending their clients. At the 2025 annual GBA conference in Wa, she asserted that lawyers must be able to defend their clients without facing intimidation or harassment. The GBA's statement on the EOCO's attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of the legal profession.
The incident has raised questions about the EOCO's powers and the procedures it follows in making arrests. While the EOCO is a creation of law, it must act within the remit of the law in exercising its functions. The incident has also highlighted the need for state institutions to respect due process and individual rights.
Key points
- The Akwatia MP, Bernard Badiako, says the EOCO's attempt to arrest the Manhyia South MP, Baffour Awuah, was an invitation, not an arrest.
- The Ghana Bar Association has expressed concern over the incident and urged the EOCO to respect due process and individual rights.
- The incident has raised questions about the EOCO's powers and the procedures it follows in making arrests.
