An incident occurred at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, where officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) reportedly attempted to arrest Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. The legislator was present for proceedings involving the bail application of social commentator Salomey Baffoe, whom he represents as a lawyer. According to reports, an altercation broke out between Baffour Awuah and EOCO officials, with videos circulating on social media showing a confrontation between the MP and a woman identified as an EOCO official.
The circumstances surrounding the reported arrest attempt, including whether Baffour Awuah had been formally invited by EOCO and the legal grounds for the intended arrest, were not immediately clear. The confrontation reportedly intensified outside the court premises, with a scuffle erupting as the legislator attempted to leave in his vehicle. This development comes amid heightened public attention surrounding the arrest and prosecution of Salomey Baffoe, who has been accused of abetting the publication of false information linked to content associated with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised what he described as excesses by the government. He called on President Mahama to ensure that state institutions operate within the confines of the law and urged him to consider the legacy of his administration. Afenyo-Markin questioned what President Mahama would tell Ghanaians when reflecting on his time in office.
Afenyo-Markin emphasised that the Minority is not opposed to accountability or the lawful work of state institutions but insisted that such institutions must operate within the law. He stated that the Minority would not condone excesses by state institutions and urged President Mahama to call his appointees to order. According to Afenyo-Markin, this incident highlights the need for state institutions to be seen as operating lawfully.
The incident has raised questions about the circumstances of the reported attempt to arrest Baffour Awuah. At the time of reporting, EOCO had not publicly issued a detailed account of the incident. The lack of clarity surrounding the incident has sparked concerns about the activities of state institutions and their adherence to the law.
The confrontation between Baffour Awuah and EOCO officials has sparked widespread attention, with many expressing concerns about the use of force by state institutions. The incident has also raised questions about the prosecution of Salomey Baffoe and the role of EOCO in investigating alleged crimes. As the situation unfolds, there are growing calls for state institutions to operate transparently and within the law.
Key issues arising from the incident include the need for state institutions to operate within the law and the importance of transparency in their activities. The incident has also highlighted concerns about the use of force by state institutions and the need for accountability. President Mahama has been urged to take steps to address these concerns and ensure that state institutions operate in a manner that respects the rights of citizens.
Key points
- The Minority Leader has called on President Mahama to reign in his appointees and ensure state institutions operate within the law.
- An incident occurred at the Accra High Court where EOCO officials reportedly attempted to arrest Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
- The incident has raised questions about the activities of state institutions and their adherence to the law.
