The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed concern over the attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026. Baffour Awuah was representing a client in the high-profile "Ghana Jollof" case when the incident occurred. EOCO operatives attempted to take him into custody, but he demanded an arrest warrant and refused to follow them, leading to a physical confrontation.
According to EOCO, the enforcement action was initiated because Baffour Awuah had allegedly failed to honour two formal invitations sent to him earlier in the year to assist with an ongoing investigation. The GBA has since released a statement dated September 24, 2026, highlighting several crucial points regarding the administration of justice. The association stressed that while no individual is above the law, law enforcement must respect the professional independence of legal practitioners, especially when they are actively representing clients in a court of law.
The GBA's statement, jointly signed by its National President, Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour, noted that executing arrests within court premises disrupts judicial operations and undermines the authority and dignity of the courts. The association also took note of videos of the attempted arrest, in which another lawyer, Enoch Anwere Afoakwa, was seen complaining of being assaulted by the EOCO personnel. The GBA has called on state authorities to discharge their duties responsibly, fairly, and strictly within the framework of the 1992 Constitution.
The GBA emphasized that lawyers play a crucial role in the administration of justice and the protection of the rights of citizens. Any action that appears to interfere with lawyers' ability to discharge their professional duties, particularly through arbitrary or irregular measures, risks undermining public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law. The association recalled remarks made by its President at the 2025 annual conference in Wa, where she had said lawyers should be at liberty to defend clients of their choice without being heckled.
The GBA also recalled an incident involving a former Vice-President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo, and his female associate, who had gone to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to defend a client. The two lawyers had been arrested and detained overnight, while the female lawyer, who was a nursing mother, had been separated from her baby and was initially unable to feed the child. The incident raised questions about the treatment of lawyers who were performing their professional duties.
The GBA has called on EOCO and other relevant state institutions and agencies to ensure that their actions are consistent with due process, fairness, and respect for the rights of all persons involved. The association emphasized that the rule of law demands not only that justice be done but that it be seen to be done. The independence of the legal profession is a cornerstone of every democratic society and must be protected at all times.
The GBA's concerns over the attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah and other incidents involving lawyers have sparked a renewed debate about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the legal profession in Ghana. The association's statement has been seen as a strong reaffirmation of the importance of protecting the independence of the legal profession and ensuring that lawyers can discharge their duties without undue interference or intimidation.
Key points
- The Ghana Bar Association has expressed concern over the attempt by EOCO to arrest a lawyer at the Accra High Court Complex, highlighting the need for respect for the professional independence of legal practitioners.
- The GBA has called on state authorities to discharge their duties responsibly, fairly, and strictly within the framework of the 1992 Constitution.
- The association has emphasized the importance of protecting the independence of the legal profession, a cornerstone of every democratic society.
