The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed that its officers attempted to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in connection with an ongoing investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EOCO said its officers were acting in the lawful discharge of their statutory responsibilities when they attempted to effect the arrest.
The development followed a confrontation at the Accra High Court Complex, where Baffour Awuah had been representing detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti in a bail application.
According to EOCO, the Manhyia South MP had previously been invited on two occasions in February 2026 to assist with an investigation, 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.
The attempted arrest was captured in videos circulating on social media, showing a confrontation between the MP and persons identified as EOCO officers. The incident ended without the arrest being completed.
EOCO explained that the situation escalated during the operation and that its officers assessed that taking further action at the scene could have endangered public safety.
The Office also said it had identified two individuals who, based on the circumstances captured on video, were allegedly involved in facilitating the MP’s departure.
EOCO said the conduct of the two individuals was being assessed and that it would take “such lawful steps as may be appropriate.”
Parliament sanctuary
Following the incident, Baffour Awuah proceeded to Parliament, despite the House being on recess, to seek sanctuary.
EOCO acknowledged the constitutional privileges and immunities afforded Members of Parliament, stressing that it would conduct its operations within the Constitution and applicable laws.
The Office, however, stated that parliamentary membership does not automatically 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 statement added.
Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution provides protection against civil or criminal process being served on or executed against a Member of Parliament while the member is on the way to, attending, or returning from parliamentary proceedings.
Investigation remains active
EOCO said the investigation remains active and that it will review the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s incident, including available video evidence, before determining its next steps.
The Office said it remains committed to discharging its statutory responsibilities while respecting the Constitution, the rule of law and the institutional privileges of Parliament.
The development has attracted competing accounts. Baffour Awuah has said he feared he was being forcibly taken away and questioned the authority of the woman who approached him, including whether she could produce an arrest warrant.
EOCO, however, has maintained that the attempted arrest formed part of lawful steps taken after the MP allegedly failed to honour two invitations issued in February.
The precise circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest and the legal basis for the specific operation are therefore likely to remain subject to further scrutiny as EOCO reviews the incident.
Meanwhile, the High Court has adjourned the bail application involving Salomey Baffoe Awiti to Thursday, September 24, 2026, after the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the defence’s application.
