An Accra High Court has issued a warrant authorising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. This development follows an application by EOCO, whose lawyers told the court that its officers had exhausted reasonable means of securing the legislator’s voluntary attendance.
According to EOCO, the warrant is necessary because the Office fears that documents relevant to its investigations could be concealed, altered or destroyed. The Office had previously attempted to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23, leading to a chaotic confrontation. EOCO stated that the attempted arrest was linked to an ongoing investigation and followed two invitations issued to Mr Baffour Awuah in February 2026.
However, Mr Baffour Awuah has disputed EOCO's account, stating that the investigation concerns SIC Life Savings and Loans Company, a client of his former law firm, Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners. He claimed that after he referred EOCO’s February invitation to the Clerk to Parliament, a representative of the law firm subsequently appeared before investigators on March 4, March 18 and April 30 and provided the information requested, including a written statement.
The matter has brought renewed attention to the financial dealings involving SIC Life Savings and Loans and Equity Savings and Loans. Mr Baffour Awuah has stated that his former firm was engaged by SIC Life Savings and Loans to recover about GH¢3.5 million invested with Equity Savings and Loans. He said the amount, with accumulated interest, had risen to about GH¢14 million before a negotiated settlement was reached.
EOCO has not publicly disclosed the full details of its ongoing investigation. However, the latest court order now gives EOCO judicial authority to proceed with the arrest and the search and seizure sought in connection with the investigation. This development has sparked reactions from various quarters, with some stakeholders calling for the involvement of Parliament in the matter.
The case has also raised concerns about the powers of EOCO and the procedures it follows in investigating and arresting suspects. Some have argued that EOCO should have secured a warrant before attempting to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah at the court premises. Others have questioned whether EOCO has the authority to determine lawyers' fees.
The arrest of Manhyia South MP Baffour Awuah has significant implications for Ghana's parliamentary and law enforcement processes. Key stakeholders will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, particularly with regard to the potential consequences for the MP and the broader impact on the country's anti-corruption efforts.
Key points
- The High Court has authorised EOCO to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah over an ongoing investigation.
- EOCO had previously attempted to arrest the MP on September 23, leading to a chaotic confrontation.
- The investigation is linked to financial dealings involving SIC Life Savings and Loans and Equity Savings and Loans.
