GBA Condemns EOCO: Manhyia South MP Arrest Attempted at Accra Court

• The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) condemned the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by EOCO at the Accra High Court on September 23, 2026, where he was representing a client.
• The GBA also raised concerns about the alleged assault of lawyer Mr. Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa during the same incident, identifying the assailant as an EOCO officer.
• The Association warned that such actions create a perception of intimidation and could have a chilling effect on the legal profession, hindering lawyers' ability to perform their duties and provide pro bono services.
• The GBA highlighted previous incidents and statements from its President, underscoring a consistent concern about interference with lawyers by enforcement agencies.
• The GBA urged EOCO and other state institutions to adhere strictly to due process, fairness, and respect for rights, emphasizing that the independence of the legal profession is vital for democracy and the rule of law.

The independence of the legal profession, it asserted, stands as a fundamental pillar of any democratic society and must be upheld and protected at all times to ensure a robust and equitable justice system.

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has issued a strong condemnation following an attempted arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. The incident, which occurred on September 23, 2026, took place on the premises of the Accra High Court, where Mr. Awuah was present in his professional capacity as a lawyer representing a client. This attempted arrest, described by the GBA as a matter of grave concern, has drawn significant attention to the conduct of enforcement agencies.

Adding to the gravity of the Accra High Court lawyer incident, the GBA also highlighted an alleged assault on another legal professional, Mr. Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, during the same event. The Association's review of video evidence confirmed the assault, identifying the perpetrator as an officer from EOCO. The GBA's official statement, released on September 24, underscored its serious concerns regarding these actions by the state institution.

The GBA's swift response to the attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and the alleged assault on Mr. Afoakwa signals its firm stance against what it perceives as undue interference with legal practitioners. The Association emphasized that while no individual is above the law, the methods employed by enforcement agencies, particularly when dealing with lawyers performing their duties, must strictly adhere to established constitutional and professional safeguards.

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) articulated its profound concerns that attempts to bypass these fundamental safeguards could foster a perception of lawyer intimidation in Ghana, potentially creating a chilling effect across the entire legal profession. Such actions, the GBA warned, might discourage lawyers from diligently fulfilling their professional responsibilities, including the provision of pro bono legal services to those in need.

This recent incident is not isolated, as the GBA has previously voiced apprehension regarding the treatment of legal professionals. The GBA President, at the 2025 Annual GBA Conference in Wa, had already expressed dismay over incidents involving lawyers in the course of their work, asserting that legal practitioners should be free to defend clients of their choice without harassment. She cautioned that such unruly acts could significantly impede the provision of pro bono cases by well-meaning lawyers.

Further illustrating its consistent stance, the GBA also referenced comments made by its President during the Virtual Mid-Year Conference on June 5, concerning an earlier incident. This involved former Vice-President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo, and a young female lawyer who were arrested and detained overnight by the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) after visiting to defend a client. The GBA President questioned why, if these individuals were under security scrutiny, they had not been formally invited earlier, highlighting a pattern of questionable conduct by enforcement agencies.

The GBA unequivocally stated that lawyers play a crucial role in the administration of justice and in safeguarding the rights of citizens. Therefore, any actions that impede a lawyer's ability to represent clients effectively risk undermining public confidence in the entire justice system. The Association's call for adherence to due process enforcement agencies Ghana is a cornerstone of its advocacy.

In its condemnation, the Ghana Bar Association called upon EOCO and all other relevant state institutions to ensure that their operations are consistently conducted with strict adherence to due process, fairness, and a profound respect for the rights of all individuals involved. This demand underscores the imperative for state bodies to operate within legal frameworks, particularly when engaging with members of the legal fraternity.

The GBA concluded its statement by emphasizing that the rule of law necessitates not only that justice is done, but that it is also visibly seen to be done. The independence of the legal profession, it asserted, stands as a fundamental pillar of any democratic society and must be upheld and protected at all times to ensure a robust and equitable justice system.

Lawyers should be aware of the Ghana Bar Association's strong stance on protecting legal professionals from undue interference by enforcement agencies like EOCO, especially when acting for clients. This reinforces the need for strict adherence to due process by state institutions when engaging with lawyers to avoid claims of intimidation and undermining the justice system.

Source: Original reporting via Kareen Tei