A dramatic incident unfolded at the High Court Complex in Accra, Ghana, on September 24, 2026, involving Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, and officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The confrontation occurred after the MP had appeared in court to represent a detained nurse, Salomey Baffoe Awity, who is facing proceedings in connection with the ongoing Ghana Jollof case.
According to eyewitnesses, a female EOCO official approached the MP and asked him to accompany her to an EOCO office. The MP declined, insisting that if he was required at the office, he would go in his own vehicle. When the MP attempted to enter his vehicle, the woman reportedly tried to prevent him from leaving. She was pushed away by the MP and some individuals believed to be members of his security detail.
The situation escalated as the woman positioned herself in front of the vehicle, and later held onto the vehicle's door handle as the vehicle moved, but eventually lost her grip. The woman then reportedly joined another vehicle and pursued the MP's vehicle. At some point, supporters of the MP allegedly blocked the security vehicle to enable the legislator to leave the court compound. One of the supporters was seen angrily hitting the body of the EOCO vehicle several times.
The MP, Nana Baffour Awuah, later explained to the media that he had acted out of concern for his personal safety. He claimed that the woman had attempted to kidnap him while he was on his way to Parliament. The MP said he questioned why he was being asked to go to EOCO without an invitation and asked the woman to provide evidence that she was from EOCO and also asked whether she had an arrest warrant.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, criticised the incident, describing it as an abuse of power and accusing a state institution of being used to intimidate a citizen who is a lawyer and a Member of Parliament. He expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest, saying that if EOCO meant well and wanted to act in good faith, it could have adopted another approach.
EOCO, in a statement issued on September 24, 2026, confirmed that its officers had attempted to arrest Nana Baffour Awuah in connection with an ongoing investigation. The Office said it had previously invited the MP to assist with the investigation on two occasions in February 2026, but the invitations were not honoured. EOCO stated that it recognised and respected the constitutional privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament and would conduct its operations strictly within the Constitution and applicable laws.
The incident occurred during proceedings in the case of Republic v. Salomey Awity Baffoe, in which Nana Baffour Awuah is representing the applicant. The bail application was adjourned, and the MP eventually left the court premises. EOCO said the investigation remained active and that it would carefully review the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the available video evidence, to guide its next steps.
Key points
- The confrontation between MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and EOCO officers was sparked by the agency's attempt to arrest the legislator in connection with an ongoing investigation.
- The incident has been criticised by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who described it as an abuse of power.
- EOCO has stated that it will conduct its operations strictly within the Constitution and applicable laws, and that membership of Parliament does not place an individual beyond the reach of the law.
