The Ghana Bar Association has strongly criticized the Economic and Organized Crime Office's attempt to arrest lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026. The incident occurred while Awuah was representing a client in court. The GBA expressed concern over the manner in which the arrest was attempted, emphasizing that any investigation or enforcement action involving legal professionals must adhere to constitutional guarantees and standard legal procedures.
According to the GBA, videos of the confrontation showed another lawyer, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, complaining of being assaulted by an EOCO operative. The association stressed that bypassing safeguards fosters a perception of intimidation and creates a chilling effect across the legal profession. The GBA warned that actions obstructing lawyers through arbitrary or irregular measures risk undermining public confidence in both the justice system and the rule of law.
The GBA's National President, Efua Ghartey, had previously spoken out against harassment of lawyers. At the 2025 annual GBA conference in Wa, she asserted that lawyers must enjoy the freedom to defend clients of their choice without facing harassment. Ghartey cautioned that such behavior could discourage pro bono services. Her comments were echoed at the GBA's Virtual Mid-Year Conference on June 5, 2026.
The GBA recalled the overnight detention of former Bar Vice President Justice Minka Premo and his young female associate, a nursing mother, by the BNI. The association questioned why targeted individuals were subjected to such treatment rather than being formally invited beforehand. This incident, along with the EOCO's attempted arrest, raises concerns about adherence to constitutional tenets.
In an official statement dated September 24, 2026, the GBA urged EOCO and all state institutions to ensure their operations respect due process, fairness, and individual rights. The statement was jointly signed by National President Efua Ghartey and National Secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour. The GBA emphasized that the independence of the legal profession remains an indispensable cornerstone of Ghana's democratic society.
The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legal profession in Ghana. The GBA's condemnation of EOCO's actions highlights the need for a balance between the enforcement of laws and the protection of individual rights. The association's statement serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding due process and professional independence.
The GBA's criticism of EOCO's actions is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the rule of law and human rights in Ghana. The association's call for strict adherence to due process and professional independence is a timely reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in the exercise of power.
Key points
- The Ghana Bar Association has condemned EOCO's attempt to arrest lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex.
- The GBA emphasized the need for due process and professional independence in investigations involving legal professionals.
- The incident has sparked concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legal profession in Ghana.
