Lawyer for the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Samuel Atta Akyea, has questioned the legal basis for the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s search of his client’s former law firm. The search is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial offences involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. According to Mr Atta Akyea, the search of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah and Partners had not been completed as of Thursday, October 1.
Mr Atta Akyea indicated that EOCO investigators were also expected to conduct a search at the legislator’s residence. He maintained that investigators were seeking a file relating to SIC Life which, according to him, had already been returned to the financial institution. The lawyer questioned why EOCO would continue searching the law firm when the particular file it was allegedly seeking was no longer in the possession of the firm.
According to Mr Atta Akyea, the document had been surrendered to SIC Life, which he identified as the client connected to the matter under investigation. He raised concerns about the implications of searching a law office containing confidential documents belonging to several other clients. Mr Atta Akyea argued that legal practices operate within a framework of professional confidentiality.
The lawyer questioned whether EOCO could lawfully access documents concerning clients who had no connection to the SIC Life matter if such materials were encountered during the search. His concerns followed the Accra High Court’s decision on September 30 to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Baffour Awuah and authorise EOCO to search for and seize documents considered relevant to its investigation.
EOCO had told the court that it had exhausted reasonable efforts to secure the MP’s voluntary attendance and expressed concern that relevant evidence could potentially be concealed, altered or destroyed. Mr Baffour Awuah subsequently reported himself to EOCO on Thursday morning, accompanied by Mr Atta Akyea and some parliamentary colleagues.
Following questioning at the agency’s premises, EOCO officials proceeded with the legislator to his former law firm and later to his residence to execute the search authority granted by the court. The investigation concerns alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. Authorities have associated the inquiry with suspected financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering.
Mr Atta Akyea also challenged the underlying criminal character of the transaction being examined by EOCO. He argued that his client’s involvement arose from legal services provided to SIC Life and that the matter eventually resulted in a settlement agreement entered into and signed by the company.
Key points
- The lawyer questioned the legal basis for EOCO's search of Baffour Awuah's former law firm.
- The search is part of an investigation into alleged financial offences involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.
- Mr Atta Akyea raised concerns about the implications of searching a law office containing confidential documents belonging to several other clients.
