The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, has shed light on why the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to arrest the Manhyia South Member of Parliament (MP), Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, last week. According to Dr. Srem-Sai, the EOCO officer who approached the MP at the High Court in Accra on September 23, 2026, initially went there to invite him to the agency. However, the situation later became an attempted arrest when the officer prevented him from leaving.
Dr. Srem-Sai made these remarks in an interview with Joy FM on Thursday, October 1, 2026, a day after the High Court granted EOCO a warrant to arrest the MP and authorised the agency to search for and seize documents relevant to its investigation. The court directed that the warrant be executed through the Speaker of Parliament. This development had raised questions over why EOCO attempted to arrest the MP on September 23 before obtaining the court warrant on September 30.
Dr. Srem-Sai clarified that the initial interaction between the EOCO officer and Baffour Awuah was an invitation, not an arrest. He stated that a person invited to the agency was free to attend voluntarily and was also free to leave. However, if a law enforcement officer prevented the person from leaving, the situation would be considered an attempted arrest. The Deputy Attorney-General emphasised that this was exactly what transpired during the September 23 incident.
EOCO had earlier confirmed in a statement issued on September 23, 2026, that its officers had attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah at the High Court complex. The agency attributed the action to two invitations issued to the MP in February 2026, which he had not honoured. EOCO also stated that the operation was abandoned after its officers assessed that continuing could endanger public safety.
Dr. Srem-Sai was also questioned about why EOCO had not obtained a warrant before the September 23 incident. He explained that the process of obtaining a warrant had already begun, starting "way back" the previous week, around Monday. The High Court ultimately issued the warrant on September 30, 2026, after EOCO told the court that it had exhausted reasonable means of securing the MP's voluntary attendance.
The incident has sparked debate over the procedures followed by EOCO in attempting to arrest the MP. While some have questioned the agency's actions, Dr. Srem-Sai's explanation provides insight into the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest. The Deputy Attorney-General's comments also highlight the complexities involved in balancing the need to investigate crimes with the rights of individuals, including those in positions of authority.
The case is ongoing, with the Speaker of Parliament set to execute the warrant. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the MP will respond to the allegations and what implications this may have for his role in Parliament. The incident has also raised broader questions about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legislature, particularly in cases involving members of Parliament.
Key points
- The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, explains that EOCO's initial interaction with MP Baffour Awuah was an invitation, not an arrest.
- EOCO attempted to arrest the MP on September 23, 2026, citing two unhonoured invitations issued in February 2026.
- The High Court granted EOCO a warrant to arrest the MP on September 30, 2026, after the agency exhausted reasonable means of securing his voluntary attendance.
