The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana has disclosed that it attempted to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah on Wednesday, September 23. According to EOCO, the attempt was part of an ongoing investigation for which the MP had previously been invited to assist. The MP, also a lawyer, had allegedly failed to honour two invitations extended to him in February 2026.
The attempted arrest occurred after the MP had participated in a bail application hearing for detained nurse Salomey Awiti Bafoh at the Accra High Court. EOCO stated that its officers were acting in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities when they attempted to arrest the MP. However, the situation escalated, and officers decided not to complete the arrest to avoid endangering public safety.
EOCO revealed that it had identified two people who allegedly intervened to facilitate the MP's escape and was assessing their conduct for possible further action. The MP subsequently proceeded to the precincts of Parliament to seek sanctuary, despite Parliament being on recess. EOCO recognised the constitutional privileges and immunities enjoyed by Members of Parliament and ensured that its actions remained within the law.
The Office emphasised that membership of Parliament does not bring an investigation to an end or place an individual beyond the reach of the law. EOCO stated that it would not take any step inconsistent with parliamentary privilege or any other protection provided by the Constitution. The attempted arrest was one of the lawful steps taken to secure the MP's attendance, following his failure to honour previous invitations.
The MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, addressed a press conference shortly after the development, explaining that he drove away from the scene to protect himself from what he described as an attempted kidnap. The incident has raised concerns about the relationship between the MP and the investigative agency.
EOCO's actions have been scrutinised, given the MP's status and the ongoing investigation. The Office's statement clarified that its actions were lawful and aimed at assisting with the investigation. The incident highlights the complexities of balancing parliamentary privileges with the need for investigations to proceed without hindrance.
The attempted arrest and subsequent developments will likely have implications for the MP's future interactions with investigative agencies and the broader parliamentary processes. EOCO's commitment to upholding the law while respecting parliamentary privileges has been emphasised, and further actions will be closely watched by various stakeholders.
Key points
- The Economic and Organised Crime Office attempted to arrest MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah due to his failure to honour two invitations in February.
- The MP sought sanctuary in Parliament after the attempted arrest, citing concerns for his safety.
- EOCO emphasised that its actions were lawful and aimed at assisting with an ongoing investigation, while respecting parliamentary privileges.
