A dramatic incident unfolded outside the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026, involving Ghana's Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. According to Mr. Baffour Awuah, an official from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) attempted to kidnap him. The confrontation occurred as he was leaving the court premises after a bail application hearing for his client, Salomey Baffoe Awiti, a detained senior nursing officer.
The incident began when a female security officer from EOCO allegedly tried to block Mr. Baffour Awuah's vehicle. He claimed she intended to forcibly take him into their vehicle without producing any evidence of her identity or an arrest warrant. Believing this to be a kidnapping, Mr. Baffour Awuah drove off to safety, with the security personnel briefly pursuing his vehicle. This event has sparked a heated debate over the actions of EOCO and the treatment of Ghanaian lawmakers.
The bail application hearing for Ms. Baffoe Awiti was adjourned to September 24, 2026, after the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the defence's submissions. Mr. Baffour Awuah has been a vocal critic of Ms. Baffoe Awiti's detention, arguing that it is unjustified since the primary suspect in the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account case is reportedly based overseas. EOCO has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident involving Mr. Baffour Awuah.
Sources close to EOCO indicate that the operation was an attempt to pick up Mr. Baffour Awuah over allegations that he had failed to honour formal invitations to assist with ongoing investigations tied to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account. However, sources close to the MP deny that any official invitation had been extended to him, suggesting instead that the move was politically motivated to silence his public defence of Ms. Baffoe Awiti.
Ms. Baffoe Awiti, a 40-year-old mother of three, has been in state custody since her arrest. She faces charges of abetment of crime, specifically the publication of false news, in connection with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account. Authorities allege that this account has been used to criticize government officials. Police claim forensic investigations linked her to Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, the alleged primary operator of the account who is reportedly based in the United Kingdom.
In response to the incident, Mr. Baffour Awuah held a press briefing in Parliament, recounting the events and expressing his concerns about the actions of EOCO. He emphasized that his primary goal was to protect himself, his family, and his client. The MP also thanked his colleagues in Parliament for their support following the incident. This event has raised questions about the limits of EOCO's authority and the protection of lawmakers in Ghana.
The incident has sparked widespread attention and concern within Ghana's legal and political communities. Key points include the alleged attempt by an EOCO official to kidnap a sitting MP, the ongoing detention of Salomey Baffoe Awiti, and the broader implications for the rule of law and protection of human rights in Ghana.
Key points
- Ghana MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah alleges EOCO official attempted to kidnap him.
- Incident occurred outside Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026.
- EOCO's actions have sparked debate over limits of authority and protection of lawmakers.
