Majority Leader James Agalga has expressed concerns over the Economic and Organised Crime Office's (EOCO) handling of the attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South. Agalga described the approach as unprofessional and suggested that EOCO should have followed due process by writing to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. According to Agalga, Members of Parliament enjoy a degree of immunity under the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, at the Accra High Court Complex, where Mr. Baffour Awuah had appeared in court to represent nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti in a bail application linked to the ongoing "Ghana Jollof" case. A female EOCO official approached the MP outside the court and asked him to accompany her to EOCO headquarters. However, Mr. Baffour Awuah demanded identification and an arrest warrant, which he claimed were not produced.
Mr. Baffour Awuah offered to drive himself to EOCO headquarters in his own vehicle, but the official reportedly insisted that he board the EOCO vehicle. A confrontation followed around his vehicle, after which Mr. Baffour Awuah drove off to Parliament. He later described the encounter as an attempted state-sponsored kidnapping and an effort to intimidate him over his defence of his client.
EOCO confirmed the attempted arrest in a statement issued on September 23, stating that it was acting in the lawful discharge of its duties. The Office claimed that Mr. Baffour Awuah had ignored two invitations issued in February 2026 to assist with an ongoing investigation. However, Mr. Baffour Awuah disputes EOCO's account, stating that he was never personally under investigation and that the matter concerned his former law firm.
According to Mr. Baffour Awuah, he replied to EOCO on February 18, 2026, informing the Office that he had become an MP and had referred the matter to the Clerk of Parliament. He added that a lawful representative of the firm subsequently cooperated with EOCO on three occasions. EOCO, however, stated that the arrest was not completed because its officers judged that a counter-action could endanger public safety.
The MP's experience has sparked concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the Ghanaian parliament. Agalga's comments reflect a broader debate about the limits of parliamentary immunity and the proper procedures for investigating lawmakers. The incident has raised questions about the balance between the need for accountability and the protection of MPs' rights.
The attempted arrest of Mr. Baffour Awuah highlights the complexities of investigating corruption and organised crime in Ghana. The case has implications for the country's anti-corruption efforts and the role of institutions like EOCO in enforcing the law. As the incident continues to unfold, stakeholders will be watching to see how it affects the country's governance and accountability landscape.
Key points
- Majority Leader James Agalga criticizes EOCO's approach as unprofessional.
- EOCO claims MP Baffour Awuah ignored two invitations to assist with an investigation.
- MP Baffour Awuah disputes EOCO's account, stating he was not personally under investigation.
