Former Tamale Central MP and private legal practitioner Inusah Fuseini has expressed concerns over the Economic and Organised Crime Office's (EOCO) attempt to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court premises. According to Mr. Fuseini, the circumstances at the court complex were too volatile for such an operation. He made these comments on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, September 26.
Mr. Fuseini questioned the basis for the attempted arrest, stating that EOCO had not indicated that Mr. Baffour Awuah had committed an offence in their presence or that there was reasonable suspicion that he had committed a crime. EOCO claimed the attempt was part of lawful steps to secure Mr. Awuah's attendance in an ongoing investigation, citing his failure to honour two invitations issued in February 2026.
However, Mr. Fuseini argued that EOCO had not established a lawful basis for the warrantless arrest. He emphasized that no crime had been committed in the presence of EOCO officials, and there was no indication of reasonable suspicion of a previously committed offence. This, he believes, makes the attempted arrest problematic.
The former MP also criticized the approach taken by EOCO, particularly because the operation took place within the court environment. He noted that the initial interaction between the EOCO official and Mr. Awuah appeared civil and cordial, but the situation subsequently escalated. Mr. Fuseini questioned why the situation changed, suggesting that EOCO should have anticipated the potential for escalation.
EOCO has maintained that the attempted arrest was part of its statutory responsibilities and that the operation was not completed due to concerns for public safety. The Office has also stated that the investigation remains active and that it will review available video evidence before determining its next steps.
The incident has sparked debate, with various stakeholders condemning EOCO's actions. The Ghana Bar Association has emphasized the need to protect the rule of law, while others have questioned the lacuna in the EOCO Act. The Manhyia South MP has described the arrest attempt as 'provocation'.
The incident has also raised concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The heavy security presence at the Accra High Court and the reactions from various stakeholders demonstrate the impact of EOCO's actions. The outcome of the investigation and any potential future actions by EOCO remain to be seen.
Key points
- EOCO's attempt to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court premises has been criticized by former MP Inusah Fuseini.
- Inusah Fuseini questions the basis for the warrantless arrest, citing lack of evidence of an offence committed in EOCO's presence or reasonable suspicion of a previously committed crime.
- The incident has sparked debate on the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, and the need to protect the rule of law.
