Ghana Bar Association: EOCO Attempted Arrest of Baffour Awuah Condemned

• The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) condemned the Economic and Organised Crime Office's (EOCO) attempted arrest of lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026.
• The GBA also noted an alleged assault by an EOCO officer on lawyer Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, which EOCO later confirmed.
• The Association emphasized that while no one is above the law, enforcement actions must respect constitutional guarantees, legal procedures, and the independence of the legal profession.
• GBA President Mrs. Efua Ghartey previously highlighted incidents of lawyer harassment, including the overnight detention of former GBA Vice President Justice Minka Premo and a female associate by the BNI in 2026.
• The GBA calls on state institutions to ensure actions comply with due process, fairness, and respect for rights, stressing that the independence of the legal profession is a democratic cornerstone.

The rule of law demands not only that justice be done, but that it be seen to be done.

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has voiced significant apprehension following an attempted arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) involving Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. This incident, which occurred on September 23, 2026, took place at the Accra High Court Complex where Mr. Baffour Awuah was present in his professional capacity, representing a client as a lawyer. The GBA's concerns were formally articulated in a statement co-signed by its President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour.

Beyond the attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the GBA also acknowledged the widespread circulation of online videos depicting another lawyer, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, alleging assault. The individual accused of the assault was subsequently identified and confirmed by EOCO itself to be one of its officers. These events collectively prompted the legal body to issue a strong condemnation, highlighting what it perceives as concerning actions by the state enforcement agency.

While affirming that no individual stands above the law, the Ghana Bar Association firmly underscored the necessity for law enforcement actions, particularly those involving legal professionals, to strictly adhere to constitutional guarantees and established legal procedures. The Association emphasized the critical importance of respecting the independence of the legal profession, warning that any perceived circumvention of these fundamental safeguards could foster an environment of intimidation. Such an atmosphere, the GBA cautioned, risks creating a chilling effect on lawyers as they carry out their essential professional duties.

The GBA articulated that lawyers fulfill a vital function in the administration of justice and in safeguarding the rights of citizens. Consequently, any measure that appears to impede a lawyer's capacity to represent clients through “arbitrary or irregular measures” poses a direct threat to public confidence in the judicial system and, by extension, the rule of law itself. The Association's stance reinforces the principle that the methods of enforcement are as crucial as the enforcement itself, especially when the integrity of legal representation is at stake.

The recent incidents are not isolated, as the GBA President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, has previously raised alarms regarding challenges faced by lawyers in the course of their professional duties. During the GBA’s annual conference in Wa in 2025, Mrs. Ghartey stressed the Bar's unwavering role as “the voice of the voiceless,” lamenting that “recent Incidents affecting lawyers in the performance of their duties have left much to be desired.” She further advocated for lawyers' freedom to defend clients of their choosing without harassment, cautioning that such interference could deter the provision of pro bono legal services, which are crucial for access to justice.

Further illustrating these systemic concerns, Mrs. Ghartey recounted another significant incident at the virtual mid-year conference on June 5, 2026. She highlighted the treatment of former GBA Vice President Justice Minka Premo and a young female associate who were arrested and detained overnight after going to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to defend a client. Disturbingly, the female lawyer was separated from her infant during her detention. In light of these recurring issues, the Ghana Bar Association is now explicitly calling upon EOCO and all other state institutions to ensure that their operations consistently align with due process, fairness, and a profound respect for the rights of every individual involved. The Association concluded by asserting that “The rule of law demands not only that justice be done, but that it be seen to be done,” reiterating that the independence of the legal profession remains an indispensable pillar of any democratic society and must be rigorously protected.

This development signals the Ghana Bar Association's firm stance against perceived overreach by state enforcement agencies like EOCO, reminding lawyers and compliance officers of the importance of upholding due process and constitutional guarantees, even when dealing with legal professionals. It underscores the need for vigilance regarding the independence of the legal profession and potential implications for client representation.

Source: Reporting by Abubakar Ibrahim