General News of 2026-09-23

Minority condemns EOCO over attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP

The Minority in Parliament has condemned the alleged attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court. Addressing the media, on September 23, 2026, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo- Markin said the incident raised serious concerns about the manner in which state investigative agencies deal with serving Members of Parliament. He explained that there was an established procedure for state agencies seeking to question or arrest MPs in connection with investigations. According to him, agencies such as EOCO, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Ghana Police Service are expected to officially write to the Speaker of Parliament to request the release of a Member of Parliament. He said the Speaker would then refer the request to Parliament’s leadership, which would work with the Legal Directorate to make the necessary arrangements for the MP to avail themselves to the investigating agency. “There is nothing like preferential treatment, but because of the nature of the MP’s work, that procedure has been set in place, and that is what all state security agencies observe,” he said. Afenyo-Markin questioned why that procedure was allegedly not followed in the case involving Baffour Awuah. He also called on the Chief Justice to examine the circumstances under which investigative agencies operate on court premises. According to him, Baffour Awuah, who is a lawyer, had gone to court to represent a client before EOCO allegedly attempted to arrest him after he exited the courtroom. “Upon his account, he went to defend his client in court. Then, just after exiting the courtroom on the court premises, EOCO appears there and lays ambush and makes an attempt to arrest him,” Afenyo-Markin said. He argued that the incident raised questions about whether investigative agencies should be permitted to enter court premises for the purpose of arresting suspects or accused persons. “I think the justice delivery system, our Chief Justice, must look at this, whether or not EOCO or any investigation agency is allowed to enter court premises with the sole aim at accosting a suspect or an accused person,” he said. The Minority Leader also cited a previous incident involving the police and an individual who had been invited for questioning, arguing that the police had resisted an attempt by EOCO to make an arrest on its premises. He described the alleged conduct in the latest incident as an abuse of power and accused EOCO of using its mandate to intimidate a citizen who is both a lawyer and a Member of Parliament. “As a Caucus, we have listened to our colleague. There is no doubt on our mind that EOCO was on a path to abuse his right, his fundamental human right of freedom,” he said. Afenyo-Markin maintained that the Minority was not opposed to accountability or the lawful work of state institutions. “We are not against any state institution pointing about its lawful duty as enshrined in any enactment or the Constitution, but what we are saying is that a state institution must be seen to be doing its work lawfully,” he said. He further accused EOCO of having gained a reputation for abusing its mandate, while questioning whether the institution had become “untouchable”. Afenyo-Markin urged President John Mahama to take action against what he described as excesses by government appointees and state institutions. He urged him to consider the legacy he would leave behind at the end of his second term. MP’s Attempted Arrest: What we know so far “Mr President, reflect on your legacy. You are left with almost just two years. You are just two years from exiting office,” he said. “Mr President, watch these excesses. Watch these excesses enough. Bring your appointees to order. Call them to order. This is not the Ghana we want,” he added. Meanwhile, the EOCO has confirmed that its officers attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah. In a statement, it said the attempted arrest was in connection with an ongoing investigation and was carried out in the lawful discharge of its statutory responsibilities. According to EOCO, the MP had failed to honour invitations on two separate occasions in February 2026. JKB/VPO “You Sent My Office a Letter, So I’ll Come in My Car” – Lawyer Escapes EOCO Arrest Attempt