Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini has expressed concerns over the Economic and Organised Crime Office's (EOCO) approach in attempting to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on September 23. According to Fuseini, EOCO should have secured a court warrant and used the appropriate parliamentary channel to compel the legislator to appear before the agency. This incident has sparked public debate over EOCO's investigative powers and procedures when dealing with sitting MPs.
Inusah Fuseini described EOCO's approach as problematic, stating that a more measured approach could have been taken. He noted that the female EOCO official who initially approached MP Baffour Awuah was "very civil, cordial and respectful", indicating that the engagement did not require a confrontational approach from the outset. Fuseini's comments were made during an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, September 26.
The circumstances of the initial encounter between EOCO officials and MP Baffour Awuah suggested that a warrant could have been obtained to compel his attendance. Fuseini recommended that EOCO should have returned to court to obtain a warrant and have it served through the Speaker of Parliament. This approach would have provided a more appropriate route for compelling the MP to appear before EOCO.
The confrontation between MP Baffour Awuah and EOCO personnel at the Accra High Court has raised questions about the limits of EOCO's investigative powers. The incident has also sparked discussions on the procedures applicable when a sitting MP is required to assist an investigation. According to Fuseini, obtaining a warrant and serving it through the Speaker would have provided a more suitable route for compelling the MP to appear before EOCO.
Inusah Fuseini's criticism of EOCO's approach has been echoed by other stakeholders, including the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and some residents of Manhyia South. The GBA condemned EOCO's action, stating that it was an affront to the rule of law. Residents of Manhyia South and NPP executives also expressed their disappointment over the botched arrest of their MP.
The incident has also drawn reactions from other politicians, including Bobby Banson, who condemned EOCO's attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. MP Baffour Awuah himself described the EOCO arrest attempt as "provocation". In response to the incident, EOCO boss Raymond Archer has been accused of abusing state power.
The controversy surrounding EOCO's attempted arrest of MP Baffour Awuah has raised concerns about the need for clarity on the procedures for investigating sitting MPs. According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, EOCO must understand the constitutional protections afforded to MPs. The incident has also sparked a wider debate on the limits of state power and the protection of individual rights in Ghana.
Key points
- EOCO's approach in attempting to arrest MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court without a warrant has been widely criticized.
- The incident has sparked public debate over EOCO's investigative powers and procedures when dealing with sitting MPs.
- Critics argue that EOCO should have secured a court warrant and used the appropriate parliamentary channel to compel MP Baffour Awuah to appear before the agency.
