MP Baffour Agyei Awuah Explains Alleged EOCO Arrest Attempt at Court

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Baffour Agyei Awuah, has explained what transpired at the court premises following what he described as an alleged attempt by an official of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to forcibly take him into custody.

According to the MP, he was at the court to represent his client, Madam Salome Awiti Baffour, whom he alleged had been unlawfully taken into custody by the government.

He said shortly after leaving the courtroom, a woman who identified herself as an EOCO staff member approached him and informed him that he was required to report to the EOCO office.

The MP explained that he agreed to accompany the woman but requested to travel in his own vehicle. According to him, the request was declined, and the woman allegedly threatened to forcibly put him in an EOCO vehicle.

He said the development raised concerns for his personal safety, particularly because, according to him, the woman did not present an identification card or other documentation to establish that she was an EOCO official.

Mr. Baffour Agyei Awuah said he subsequently drove to Parliament for his safety and to seek the protection of the institution.

Commenting on the incident, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned the manner in which the alleged invitation was carried out.

He maintained that there are established procedures for inviting a sitting Member of Parliament to assist with an investigation by a state institution.

According to him, where an MP is required to appear before an investigative body, the appropriate procedure is for a formal letter to be served on Parliament through the Speaker, who then communicates the matter to the relevant parliamentary leadership.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin described the reported events at the court premises as unusual and said questions must be asked about the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted arrest.

He also called for the Attorney-General’s attention to be drawn to the matter, referring to what he described as similarities with an earlier incident involving Chairman Wuntomi, where police intervention was reportedly required.

The Minority Leader further argued that the incident raises broader concerns about the manner in which state investigative institutions engage with Members of Parliament.

He described the development as a sign of what he characterised as political “haunting” by the government and called for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be properly examined.