Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed concerns over the Economic and Organized Crime Office's (EOCO) reasons for seeking a court warrant to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. According to Kpebu, EOCO's claims that it had exhausted reasonable means of securing the MP's voluntary attendance and feared relevant documents could be concealed, altered or destroyed are not justified. Kpebu made these comments on Joy FM's Top Story on Wednesday, September 30.
Kpebu argued that EOCO should have dealt directly with Parliament through the Speaker rather than communicating with the MP's law firm. He noted that sending a letter to the MP's law firm was not the right approach, especially since EOCO knew it was the MP they were looking for. Kpebu suggested that EOCO should have sent the letter through Parliament, which would have prompted the Speaker to make the MP available for questioning.
The background of this case is that the High Court issued a warrant for the arrest of the Manhyia South MP as part of an EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorized financial transactions at SIC Life Savings & Loans Company Ltd. According to Kpebu, the MP had informed EOCO that he had forwarded its letter to the Speaker of Parliament, which should have prompted EOCO to follow the parliamentary procedure.
Kpebu also cautioned that arresting the MP at a social event could create further controversy and affect public confidence in the government. He suggested that pursuing the arrest through Parliament would avoid unnecessary controversy and allow EOCO to proceed with its investigation. This approach, Kpebu argued, would also look more professional.
The MP's constituents have demanded an apology from EOCO over the attempt to 'unlawfully' arrest their MP. Additionally, Afoakwa reported an alleged EOCO assault to the police after a High Court incident. These developments have sparked concerns about the handling of the case and the potential implications for the MP and the government.
Other stakeholders have also weighed in on the issue. The Minority is awaiting formal notice of the arrest warrant for the Manhyia South MP. Annoh-Dompreh questioned EOCO's claim that the MP was unavailable for questioning. Meanwhile, Felix Kwakye Ofosu revealed that EOCO had a tactical team ready to arrest Baffour Awuah.
The case has sparked a wider debate about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and Parliament. Key issues include the protocol for arresting MPs and the potential implications for the separation of powers. As the case unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how it is handled and what implications it may have for the government and the MP.
Key points
- EOCO's approach in seeking the arrest warrant for Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has been criticized by private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu.
- Kpebu argues that EOCO should have dealt directly with Parliament through the Speaker rather than communicating with the MP's law firm.
- The case has sparked concerns about the handling of the investigation and the potential implications for the MP and the government.
