CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has expressed confidence that the Manhyia South lawmaker, Baffour Awuah, will be granted bail by the court. Edudzi made this statement on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, October 3. He indicated that if the initial February invitation to the lawmaker was honoured, he would probably not be in this situation today.
Edudzi further stated that if lawmakers want the procedure for arresting any of them amended, they can present a private members' bill to amend the criminal procedures. He emphasized that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is not in breach of any law in the matter of Baffour Awuah. According to Edudzi, EOCO has so far acted within the laws to handle this matter.
Lawmayer Martin Kpebu, however, disagreed with Edudzi's assertion. Kpebu argued that EOCO goofed in the way it conducted itself in the matter of Baffour Awuah. He stated that keeping Baffour Awuah in custody does not help EOCO's case, especially since the lawmaker had been aware of the case since February and did not abscond.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office has said that Baffour Awuah will be put before a weekend court. In a news release dated October 2, 2026, EOCO stated that it is working with the Office of the Attorney-General to meet constitutional timelines. The Office also dismissed claims that Baffour Awuah had been granted bail, stating that media reports of a GH₵50 million bail were false.
Baffour Awuah voluntarily surrendered to EOCO on October 1 and has been in custody since then. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and other NPP officials visited him on October 2. Afenyo-Markin likened the conduct of the NDC Government to a police officer determined to arrest a driver at all costs, alleging that the government is deliberately finding faults to persecute opposition members.
Afenyo-Markin accused the government of perpetuating a cycle of political witch-hunting, warning that it is making it difficult for moderate voices within the NPP to preach restraint. He alleged that the government is using corruption tags to silence critics, including social media activists. Afenyo-Markin called on NPP members to stay united and focused on the party's future.
Despite his situation, Baffour Awuah remains in high spirits. Afenyo-Markin reported that Baffour Awuah is confident and reminded him that the forebearers who brought the NPP into being suffered more than he is currently. The Minority Leader expressed concern that the government's actions are causing a lot of pain and making it difficult for moderates within the NPP to call for calm.
Key points
- Edudzi confident Baffour Awuah will be granted bail
- EOCO working with Attorney-General to meet constitutional timelines
- Afenyo-Markin accuses government of political witch-hunting
