On October 1, 2026, Ghanaian Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, was taken into custody by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) after voluntarily reporting to assist with investigations into transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. Baffour Awuah's lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, expressed frustration over his client's detention, questioning the manner in which the legislator is being treated.
According to Atta Akyea, the power play involved in Baffour Awuah's detention is "disgusting," and he wonders who would be safe if a Member of Parliament is treated this way. The MP had presented himself to investigators after an Accra High Court issued a warrant for his arrest. Atta Akyea's comments suggest that the issue is not only about the underlying SIC Life Savings and Loans investigation but also about the exercise of investigative powers by state agencies.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has demanded the immediate release of Baffour Awuah, stressing that the caucus does not seek to interfere with the investigation. He, however, raised concerns about the treatment of the MP and claimed that his earlier correspondence with EOCO, sent through the Clerk of Parliament, had not been recognised by the agency.
Some members of the opposition caucus and other NPP figures have visited EOCO to establish the circumstances surrounding Baffour Awuah's detention. The development has triggered a wider debate over the use of investigative powers by state agencies, including the circumstances under which suspects can be detained during ongoing investigations.
Baffour Awuah was subsequently granted GH¢50m bail after his detention by EOCO. His legal team maintains that he is cooperating with the process, while the agency has yet to publicly indicate when the MP will be released. The MP was formally charged with money laundering and loss of public funds.
The issue has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including OccupyGhana, which has called for parliamentary scrutiny of EOCO and BNI powers. The group is advocating for a review of the powers of investigative bodies to prevent potential abuses.
As the situation unfolds, Baffour Awuah's detention has raised concerns about the balance between investigative powers and the rights of suspects, particularly those in public office. The case is expected to have implications for future interactions between state agencies and public officials.
Key points
- Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea criticizes Baffour Awuah's detention by EOCO as an example of "disgusting" power play.
- Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin demands Baffour Awuah's immediate release from EOCO custody.
- Baffour Awuah granted GH¢50m bail after EOCO detention.
