Baffour Awuah granted GH¢10m bail with two sureties

The High Court has granted Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, ruling that he cannot be considered a flight risk but must remain available to investigators as an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) probe continues.

The court’s decision followed arguments between the MP’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, over the terms under which he should be released.

The MP is expected to return to court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Mr Atta Akyea urged the court to grant his client bail on his own recognisance, citing his position as a sitting MP and his profession as a lawyer.

He told the court that Mr Baffour Awuah had voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, at about 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his legal team.

According to the defence, the MP spent about eight hours at EOCO, where he was detained and questioned further. Investigators also searched his residence and office under warrants issued by the High Court.

The defence maintained that his voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators showed that he was unlikely to abscond.

Mr Atta Akyea also challenged the allegations surrounding a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, arguing that the transaction arose from a commercial dispute rather than the alleged dissipation of funds.

The defence said the MP’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans. The recovery process led to litigation over the attachment of property believed to belong to the judgment debtor.

A third party subsequently claimed ownership of the property, prompting further legal proceedings.

The defence said the claimant later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, after which terms of settlement were filed before a competent court.

Mr Atta Akyea rejected the characterisation of the settlement as the “dissipation” of GH¢9.85 million, insisting that it arose from a commercial settlement and the payment of legal fees.

To support his request for bail, the lawyer also cited previous criminal cases involving MPs, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda.

The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the defence’s account of the MP’s cooperation with investigators and urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure his continued availability.

He said EOCO first invited Mr Baffour Awuah in February 2026 and made subsequent attempts to secure his attendance.

Dr Srem-Sai also referred to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23 and an arrest warrant issued by the High Court on September 30, arguing that these circumstances should inform the bail conditions.

After considering the arguments, the court granted the MP GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, both of whom are his parliamentary colleagues. It also directed him to remain available to investigators and attend the next court proceedings on the scheduled dates.

The case is linked to an ongoing EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

The probe includes allegations of criminal conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences. The allegations remain under investigation.