Lawyers of Ghana's Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, have disputed the Economic and Organised Crime Office's account that the lawmaker failed to respond to February invitations for an ongoing investigation. According to the legal team, EOCO's February 10, 2026 letter was directed to Mr Baffour Awuah as Senior Partner of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, not to him as an individual. The letter concerned an investigation involving one of the firm's clients, SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.
The law firm issued a statement on behalf of the MP, clarifying that he was not the subject of the investigation. EOCO claimed that Mr Baffour Awuah was invited twice in February but failed to honour the invitations, leading to an attempted arrest at the Accra High Court on September 23, 2026. However, the lawyers stated that Mr Baffour Awuah responded to EOCO on February 18, informing them of his new status as a Member of Parliament and referring the matter to the Clerk to Parliament for advice.
The law firm continued to engage with EOCO through a lawful representative, who attended three separate interrogation sessions on March 4, March 18, and April 30. The representative provided investigators with the requested information and submitted a formal written statement dated April 30. According to the lawyers, no additional invitation was received after the representative had engaged with investigators and supplied the requested information.
The lawyers have questioned the timing of the attempted arrest, suggesting it may be connected to Mr Baffour Awuah's recent role as legal counsel for Salomey Awiti Bafoh in an ongoing case involving UK-based TikTok user Barbara Asantewaa Kodua. The incident occurred shortly after Mr Baffour Awuah appeared at the High Court in connection with Ms Bafoh's bail application. EOCO later explained that the arrest was not completed after its officers assessed that further action could pose a risk to public safety.
EOCO has maintained that the attempted arrest was linked to an ongoing investigation and followed earlier invitations extended to the MP. The Office has acknowledged Mr Baffour Awuah's status as a Member of Parliament, stating that it recognises and respects the constitutional privileges and immunities enjoyed by MPs. EOCO, however, maintains that parliamentary membership does not automatically terminate an investigation or place an individual beyond the reach of the law.
The conflicting accounts have placed the circumstances surrounding the February correspondence and the attempted arrest at the centre of the dispute, as EOCO maintains that its investigation remains ongoing. The situation has sparked concerns about the relationship between the executive and the legislature, with some questioning the potential for politically motivated actions.
The incident has also raised questions about the balance between parliamentary privilege and the rule of law. While EOCO has stressed that it will continue to pursue its mandate, it has also acknowledged that it will not act in a manner inconsistent with parliamentary privilege or other constitutional protections. The matter is expected to continue unfolding in the coming days.
Key points
- EOCO's account of events differs from that of the MP's lawyers.
- The incident has raised concerns about the relationship between the executive and the legislature.
- The balance between parliamentary privilege and the rule of law has been questioned.
