Manhyia MP Pleads Not Guilty To ‘Dissipation’ Of SIC GH¢9.85m

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has pleaded not guilty to three criminal charges, including conspiracy to intentionally dissipate public funds, causing financial loss to a public body and money laundering.

The case was heard by Justice Charity Akosua Asem, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge.

Mr Awuah, a legal practitioner, appeared before the High Court (Specialised Division) in Accra on Saturday, in connection with transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, together with State Attorneys Nana Ama Prempeh and Anthony Asiamah and Investigators from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), prayed the court to read the charges to the accused.

According to the charge sheet filed on October 3, 2026, the MP is alleged to have conspired with the former Managing Director of SIC Life Savings and Loans to dissipate GH¢9.85 million belonging to the company in 2024.

The prosecution further accused him of intentionally causing financial loss to SIC Life through a settlement arrangement that allegedly reduced a judgment debt of GH¢14.85 million to GH¢5 million.

On the third count, Mr Awuah is accused of money laundering by allegedly transferring GH¢1 million to the former Managing Director of SIC Life, knowing that the money had been derived from criminal activity.

Reading the brief facts, Dr Srem-Sai told the court that SIC Life had engaged Mr Awuah in May 2020 to recover a debt owed by Equity Savings and Loans Company Limited.

He said the legal proceedings resulted in a judgment in favour of SIC Life and the attachment of a 31.93-acre parcel of land at Adamorobe.

The prosecution alleged that the attached property was later sold and a settlement reached, under which SIC Life accepted GH¢5 million in full satisfaction of a judgment debt exceeding GH¢14 million, while legal and auctioneer’s fees amounting to over GH¢3 million were paid separately.

Dr Srem-Sai further alleged that after receiving legal fees of GH¢2.2 million, Mr Awuah issued a cheque for GH¢1 million to the then Managing Director of SIC Life, adding that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

Counsel for the accused, Samuel Atta Akyea, assisted by Andrew Ampau Obeng and others argued that the matter arose out of a lawyer-client relationship rather than a criminal enterprise.

Mr Atta Akyea submitted that a lawyer merely provides legal advice and that the ultimate commercial decisions are made by the client.

He contended that the settlement agreement had been negotiated by the parties, filed before a court of competent jurisdiction and adopted as a consent judgment.

He described the allegation of “dissipation” as an abuse of language and maintained that receiving legal fees after years of legal work could not constitute criminal conduct.

The defence also argued that Mr Awuah had cooperated with investigators, voluntarily presenting himself at EOCO and submitting to searches and questioning.

However, Dr Srem-Sai disputed the claim that the accused did voluntarily honour invitation from investigators, telling the court that EOCO had invited the MP on several occasions, beginning in February this year and that, an arrest warrant had to be eventually issued.

The Deputy Attorney-General further stated that the accused had publicly indicated that he only reported to EOCO because of the warrant and had also sought a stay of execution of the warrant, factors the prosecution said raised concerns about his willingness to cooperate fully with investigations.

After hearing both sides, Justice Charity Akosua Asem granted Mr Awuah bail in the sum of GH¢19 million with two sureties.

The court also ordered the MP to deposit his passport and make himself available to investigators whenever required.

The case has been adjourned to November 2, 2026.

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