Private legal practitioner Kwame Adofo has expressed strong reservations about the attempted arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, when officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to take Baffour Awuah into custody. According to EOCO, the MP had been issued two invitations in February to assist with an ongoing investigation.
The attempted arrest has been widely criticized by Adofo, who described it as “embarrassing”, “disgraceful” and “shameful”. He made these comments during an interview on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday, 24 September. Adofo emphasized that the court environment should be treated with particular respect by both lawyers and law enforcement officers. He expressed his dismay at the daring attempt to arrest a lawyer within the presence of the law court.
Adofo argued that the conduct of EOCO officials set a dangerous precedent for the legal profession and the country’s justice system. He stressed that the responsibility for the operation should be examined at the highest level of EOCO, suggesting that an officer would not ordinarily undertake such an operation without authorization from the agency’s leadership. As a result, he called for accountability over the incident, stating that heads must roll, particularly from the top.
The lawyer defended Baffour Awuah’s decision to ask the EOCO official who approached him to identify herself before accompanying her. According to Adofo, a person approached by someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer is entitled to establish the person’s identity and authority, particularly where the officer is not immediately identifiable. This, he noted, was a lesson that members of the public could learn from.
Adofo also clarified that the absence of an arrest warrant does not automatically make an arrest unlawful. He explained that the circumstances of an alleged offence determine whether a warrant is required, noting that there are situations in which a person may lawfully be arrested without a warrant. However, he emphasized that where an arrest is premeditated and there is sufficient time to obtain judicial authorization, the circumstances surrounding the arrest must be carefully examined.
EOCO has maintained that its officers were acting in the lawful discharge of their statutory responsibilities and that the attempted arrest followed Baffour Awuah’s failure to honour two invitations issued in February. The agency said the operation was abandoned after the situation escalated and officers assessed that continuing could endanger public safety. EOCO also recognized the constitutional privileges and immunities of MPs, stating that Baffour Awuah’s parliamentary status does not, by itself, end an investigation or place him beyond the reach of the law.
The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legislative arm of government. The MP's decision to drive away from the premises after being approached by EOCO officials has been seen as a reflection of the tension between the two branches. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are watching closely to see how it will be resolved and what implications it may have for the country's justice system.
Key points
- Lawyer Kwame Adofo criticizes EOCO's attempt to arrest MP Baffour Awuah at Accra High Court as "embarrassing" and "disgraceful".
- The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legislative arm of government.
- EOCO maintains that its officers were acting in the lawful discharge of their statutory responsibilities.
