The lawyer for Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Samuel Atta Akyea, has expressed disappointment over the continued detention of his client by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). According to Atta Akyea, his client will spend another night in custody despite being interrogated for about five hours. During the interrogation, the legal team was assured that EOCO would seek approval to grant the MP bail.
Atta Akyea stated that he was informed a judge would sit on Saturday to consider bail for his client, but questioned the necessity of the judge's involvement. He argued that the arrest warrant obtained by EOCO was different from a bench warrant and questioned the basis for taking the MP before a judge after he had voluntarily surrendered to the agency.
The lawyer criticized what he described as a conflation of an arrest warrant with a bench warrant, calling it "a whole mischief." He emphasized that his client, as a sitting Member of Parliament, had voluntarily presented himself to EOCO and therefore did not warrant being kept in custody. Atta Akyea also pointed out the impact of the MP's continued detention on his constituents, who are expected to participate in the New Patriotic Party's national delegates conference in Kumasi.
EOCO had earlier announced that it was working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring Mr. Baffour Awuah before a weekend court, citing constitutional timeframes and procedural requirements governing bail. The agency dismissed reports that it had granted the MP GH¢50 million bail and urged the public to disregard such reports.
Mr. Baffour Awuah's voluntary surrender followed the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Accra High Court after EOCO had sought the warrant in connection with an ongoing investigation. The investigation concerns alleged financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. EOCO has said its inquiries cover allegations including criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, and tax-related offences.
The MP, who is also a Senior Partner at Sarkodie, Baffour Awuah and Partners, reported to EOCO, accompanied by his lawyers, and has been cooperating with investigators. Atta Akyea said he would challenge the continued detention when the matter comes before the court, pleading with the judge to admit his client to bail.
The detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with some expressing concerns about the implications of his detention. As the situation unfolds, the public awaits the court's decision on the MP's bail application.
Key points
- - The lawyer for Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Samuel Atta Akyea, expressed disappointment over his client's continued detention by EOCO. - The MP's detention has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, with concerns about the implications of his detention. - EOCO is investigating allegations including criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, and tax-related offences.
