Drama At The High Court Complex: MP Escapes From EOCO’s Claws

A confrontation between the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah and officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) caused a stir at the High Court Complex in Accra yesterday, after the anti-graft agency attempted to arrest the legislator.

The incident occurred after the MP had appeared in court to represent a detained nurse, Salomey Baffoe Awity, who is facing proceedings in connection with the ongoing Ghana Jollof case.

The confrontation attracted the attention of journalists, bloggers and other court users, as the MP and a female EOCO official engaged in a heated exchange outside the courtroom.

According to accounts from the scene, the woman approached the MP and asked him to accompany her to an EOCO office. The MP declined and insisted that if he was required at the office, he would go in his own vehicle.

When the MP attempted to enter his vehicle, the woman reportedly tried to prevent him from leaving. She was pushed away by the MP and some individuals believed to be members of his security detail.

The woman subsequently positioned herself in front of the vehicle, as the MP attempted to leave the court premises.

She later held onto the vehicle’s door handle as the vehicle moved, but eventually lost her grip. The woman then reportedly joined another vehicle and pursued the MP’s vehicle.

At some point, supporters of the MP allegedly blocked the security vehicle to enable the legislator to leave the court compound.

One of the supporters was seen angrily hitting the body of the EOCO vehicle several times. The MP eventually left the court premises and later explained to the media that he had acted out of concern for his personal safety.

MP’s account

Nana Baffour Awuah said that after the court proceedings, which had been adjourned to today, he came to the foyer to address the press.

He said that after addressing the media, a woman approached him, touched his hand and told him that he was needed at EOCO.

According to him, he questioned why he was being asked to go to EOCO without an invitation. He said the woman claimed he had previously been invited but had failed to appear.

Nana Baffour Awuah said he told her that he would sit in his car and follow her to EOCO, but she insisted that she would forcibly take him into their (EOCO) vehicle.

He said he then asked her to provide evidence that she was from EOCO and also asked whether she had an arrest warrant.

According to him, she was unable to produce either. “It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that had been going on, which is sponsored by the state. And so at that point, I needed to defend and protect myself,” he said.

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South added that he needed to protect himself for the benefit of the people of his constituency, the Minority Caucus, his children and his family.

He also said his actions were intended to enable him to continue protecting the interests of his client, particularly the client’s four-year-old child, who was waiting for the release of her mother.

Nana Baffour Awuah said he subsequently drove to Parliament because he was also required to undertake committee work. He alleged that the woman had attempted to kidnap him while he was on his way to Parliament.

Minority

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who also addressed the media criticised the incident, describing it as an abuse of power and accusing a state institution of being used to intimidate a citizen who is a lawyer and a Member of Parliament.

“What is happening today amounts to abuse of power, weaponising a state institution to undermine, abuse and intimidate a citizen who is a lawyer and a member of parliament. It’s most unfortunate,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority Caucus had listened to Nana Baffour Awuah and expressed concern about the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest.

“As a caucus, we have listened to our colleague. There is no doubt on our mind that EOCO was on a path to abuse his rights, his fundamental human right of freedom,” he said.

He said that if EOCO meant well and wanted to act in good faith, it could have adopted another approach.

“If, indeed, EOCO meant well and wanted to act in good faith, they could have adopted some other well-humane approach,” he said.

EOCO explains attempted arrest

EOCO, in a statement issued yesterday, confirmed that its officers had attempted to arrest Nana Baffour Awuah in connection with an ongoing investigation.

The Office said it had previously invited the MP to assist with the investigation on two occasions in February 2026, but the invitations were not honoured.

“The Office has since taken steps to secure his attendance in accordance with the law and the attempted arrest today represents one of the lawful steps,” EOCO said.

According to the Office, the situation escalated during the attempted arrest, and the arrest was not successfully completed after officers assessed that a counter-action would have endangered public safety.

EOCO said it had also identified two persons who, based on the circumstances captured on video, were alleged to have actively intervened to facilitate the MP’s escape.

The Office said the conduct of the two persons was being assessed and that it would take such lawful steps as might be appropriate.

EOCO said it was aware that Nana Baffour Awuah subsequently proceeded to the precincts of Parliament to seek sanctuary, although Parliament is on recess.

The Office said it recognised and respected the constitutional privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament and would conduct its operations strictly within the Constitution and applicable laws.

It, however, stated that membership of Parliament did not, by itself, bring an investigation to an end or place an individual beyond the reach of the law.

“At the same time, EOCO will not take any step that is inconsistent with parliamentary privilege or any other protection provided by the Constitution.”

The Office said the investigation remained active and that it would carefully review the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the available video evidence, to guide its next steps.

EOCO said it remained determined to discharge its statutory responsibilities while respecting the Constitution, the rule of law and the institutional privileges of Parliament.

Bail application adjourned

The confrontation followed proceedings in the case of Republic v. Salomey Awity Baffoe, in which Nana Baffour Awuah is representing the applicant.

The Attorney-General’s representative, Karl Afedzie Forson, told the court that he was not the substantive attorney handling the matter and had only been informed that the office had been served with the pending bail application on Friday, September 18, 2026.

He said the intervening Monday was a public holiday and, consequently, the application had not yet been assigned to a substantive attorney. He, therefore, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable the Attorney-General’s Office to respond formally.

The MP opposed the request, arguing that the application concerned the liberty of an accused person and should not be delayed on procedural grounds.

He argued that there was proof that the Attorney-General’s Office had been served and cited authorities, including Martin Kpebu Number 4 v Attorney-General, to support his position that weekends could be counted in calculating time in such matters.

According to him, further delay could render the bail application moot because the applicant would have served the two-week remand period before the prosecution filed its response.

The judge stressed the importance of the matter, stating that “the liberty of an individual is at stake” and that the court could not allow the institution to take the matter for granted.

The court directed that should the prosecution intend to oppose the bail application, its affidavit in opposition must be filed by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The bail application was subsequently adjourned to today, September 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

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