General News of 2026-09-23
'You have just 2 years left in office' - Afenyo-Markin cautions Mahama over ‘political arrests’
The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to call his appointees to order following a reported attempt by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court.
The reported incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, when the legislator, who is also a lawyer, appeared at the court to represent social commentator Salomey Baffoe.
Minority condemns EOCO over attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP
Baffoe is facing allegations of abetting the publication of false information in connection with content associated with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah was at the High Court for proceedings relating to Baffoe’s bail application when persons identified as EOCO officials reportedly sought to take him into custody.
Details surrounding the reported attempted arrest remain unclear, including whether the MP had received a formal invitation from EOCO and the legal basis for the intended arrest.
EOCO had not issued a detailed public statement on the incident at the time of reporting.
The situation reportedly escalated outside the court, where videos circulating on social media showed an exchange between the MP and a woman identified as an EOCO official.
A scuffle was subsequently reported as Baffour Awuah attempted to leave the court premises in his vehicle.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised what he described as excesses by the government and called on President Mahama to ensure that state institutions operate within the law.
“Mr President, reflect on your legacy. You are left with almost just 2 years from exiting office. The question is, what would you tell Ghanaians when you are in your quiet moment? Can you proudly say, in the second opportunity you were given by God, you used that chance to transform your country?” he asked.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Minority was not opposed to accountability or lawful investigations by state institutions.
He, however, said state agencies must conduct their duties within the limits of the law and avoid actions that could undermine public confidence in state institutions.
“Watch these excesses; enough is enough. Call your appointees to order because this is not the Ghana we want. We are not against accountability, and we always say that. We are not against any state institution going about its lawful duty as enshrined in any enactment or the Constitution. What we are saying is that a state institution must be seen to be doing its work lawfully,” he said.
The Minority’s concerns come amid growing public and political debate over Baffoe’s arrest and prosecution and the conduct of state agencies involved in the case.
NA/AM
