Ghana EOCO: Attempted Arrest Of Manhyia South MP Sparks Apology Demands

• Constituents of Manhyia South are demanding an apology from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for an alleged unlawful attempted arrest of their MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
• The incident occurred at the High Court where the MP was representing a client, and he resisted arrest due to the officer's failure to provide proof of EOCO affiliation.
• EOCO claims the MP ignored an invitation from February, but the MP states the invitation was addressed to his law firm, not him personally.
• The constituency's Communication Officer asserts the attempted arrest violated parliamentary privileges and calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
• The community warns against further arbitrary harassment and emphasizes the need for state security institutions to adhere to due process.

This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of due process and parliamentary privileges in Ghana, particularly concerning the conduct of state security agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is facing demands for an apology following an alleged unlawful attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South. The incident, which has drawn sharp criticism from the MP's constituents, reportedly occurred while the legislator was attending the High Court for a bail application hearing on behalf of his client, Salormey Awiti Baffoe, whose application was subsequently refused. Ms. Baffoe is currently being held in connection with her alleged ties to TikToker Ghana Jollof.

During the encounter, the Manhyia South MP reportedly resisted the arrest, citing the officer's failure to present proper identification confirming their affiliation with EOCO. This refusal to comply with the attempted arrest is central to the constituents' claims of impropriety. EOCO, for its part, maintains that the MP had previously failed to respond to an invitation issued in February of the current year. However, Mr. Awuah has countered this assertion, clarifying that the invitation was addressed to his law firm rather than to him personally, thereby challenging the premise of EOCO's pursuit.

In response to the attempted arrest, members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Manhyia South Constituency convened a press conference on Monday, September 28. During the gathering, party executives and concerned constituents, visibly expressing their outrage by donning black attire with red head and arm bands, vociferously demanded an unreserved apology from EOCO. They characterized the EOCO attempted arrest of the Manhyia South MP as a flagrant violation of both the MP’s fundamental rights and established parliamentary privileges.

Joseph Appiah, the Communication Officer for the constituency, articulated the party's firm stance, declaring that they would not tolerate any form of abuse directed at their Member of Parliament. He underscored the historical context of political persecution experienced by Manhyia South, referencing Okyeame Baffour Akoto, a native of the area and a prominent advocate for fundamental human rights and democracy. Mr. Appiah issued a stern warning, stating that any future attempts to subject the MP to arbitrary harassment or an unlawful arrest Ghana MP would be met with resolute resistance, emphasizing that the community would not passively observe the infringement of their representative's rights.

The Manhyia South constituency has formally called for a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged breach of parliamentary privileges and the conduct of the officers involved in the attempted arrest. This demand reflects a broader concern regarding due process and the operational protocols of state security agencies. The constituents argue that the incident involving Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah arrest contravened all established guidelines governing arrests by state security bodies, highlighting a potential systemic issue.

Beyond the immediate incident, the Communication Officer urged all state security institutions, including Ghana EOCO, to strictly adhere to due process and to refrain from abusing the rights of both politicians and ordinary citizens. This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of due process and parliamentary privileges in Ghana, particularly concerning the conduct of state security agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office. The MP, despite the pressure, has affirmed his unwavering commitment to advocating for his client's rights.

This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of due process and parliamentary privileges in Ghana, particularly concerning the conduct of state security agencies like EOCO. Lawyers should monitor the outcome of the proposed parliamentary inquiry as it could clarify the scope of MP immunity and proper arrest protocols, impacting advice on client interactions with law enforcement.

Source: Original reporting via Nana Yaw Gyimah