Reactions have mounted after a reported confrontation involving officials believed to be from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on Wednesday. The incident occurred after Awuah appeared at the High Court as lead counsel for detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti, whose bail application was adjourned to Thursday.
Legal scholar Kwaku Azar described the reported incident as a “botched attempt to arrest lawyers coming from court”, calling it “totally unprofessional and unprecedented”. Azar urged the Attorney General to intervene, expressing concerns over the conduct of EOCO officials. His comments reflect growing concerns within the legal community over the incident.
Lawyer and political commentator Oliver Barker-Vormawor also criticised the reported incident, describing it as an example of unprofessional law enforcement. Barker-Vormawor expressed concerns that such actions could undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies and the government. His comments add to a growing chorus of criticism over EOCO's actions.
Assistant Ashanti Regional Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kingsley Bonsu Kyeretwie, alleged that the incident amounted to an attempt to “kidnap” the MP. Kyeretwie's comments reflect concerns that EOCO's actions may have been motivated by a desire to intimidate or silence the MP. The incident has sparked a heated debate over EOCO's conduct.
Background on the case suggests that Awuah has been representing Baffoe in a case where she faces a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news, in connection with content allegedly circulated through the Ghana Jollof TikTok account. Baffoe has pleaded not guilty, while her defence has rejected the allegations. EOCO had not publicly commented on the reported confrontation at the time of publication.
The incident comes amid growing public debate over Baffoe’s arrest and prosecution and the conduct of state agencies involved in the case. Critics have expressed concerns that the case may be related to broader issues of free speech and the role of social media in Ghana. The case has sparked a national conversation over these issues.
The reported confrontation occurred after Awuah declined to accompany a woman identified as an EOCO official, who approached him at the court premises. Videos circulating from the court premises show the woman asking Awuah to accompany her, which he declined, entering his vehicle and driving away. The precise circumstances of the incident remain unclear.
Key points
- EOCO's reported attempt to arrest the Manhyia South MP at the High Court has sparked widespread criticism from the legal community.
- The incident has raised concerns over the conduct of state agencies involved in the case and the potential implications for free speech in Ghana.
- The case has sparked a national conversation over the role of social media and the conduct of law enforcement agencies in Ghana.
