EOCO Explains Attempted Arrest of Manhyia South MP Baffour Awuah

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has explained the circumstances surrounding its attempted arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The development followed a tense confrontation between the MP, who is also a lawyer, and security personnel believed to be from EOCO after proceedings in a case involving detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti.

In a statement titled “EOCO’s Position on the Attempted Arrest of Hon. Baffour Awuah,” the anti-organised-crime agency said its officers were acting as part of their statutory responsibilities in connection with an ongoing investigation.

EOCO said the attempted arrest was not an isolated action but followed earlier efforts to secure the MP’s attendance for questioning.

EOCO says MP ignored two invitations

According to EOCO, Baffour Awuah was invited on two separate occasions in February 2026 to assist with an ongoing investigation.

The Office said the invitations were not honoured by the MP.

EOCO explained that after the invitations were allegedly ignored, it took further steps to secure his attendance in accordance with the law.

The agency therefore described Wednesday’s attempted arrest as one of the lawful measures it had taken to ensure that the MP appeared before the Office.

EOCO’s position was later reported by multiple media outlets, with the agency maintaining that the MP had failed to respond to the two February invitations.

Attempted arrest turns tense

The attempted arrest, however, did not proceed as planned after a confrontation broke out at the court premises.

Videos circulating online showed a woman believed to be an EOCO officer confronting Baffour Awuah around his vehicle.

The situation quickly became tense, with members of the MP’s team becoming involved before Baffour Awuah eventually drove away from the premises.

Reports indicate that a member of the legal team helped clear the way for the MP’s vehicle to leave, after which another vehicle believed to be connected to the security personnel followed.

EOCO said its officers ultimately decided not to complete the arrest because continuing with the operation could have posed a danger to public safety.

The agency said the circumstances surrounding the incident would be reviewed, including available video footage.

EOCO has also disclosed that it has identified two individuals who allegedly intervened during the incident to facilitate Baffour Awuah’s escape.

The Office said it was assessing the conduct of the two persons and that lawful action could follow if necessary.

According to EOCO, the available video footage would form part of the material it reviews before determining its next course of action.

Baffour Awuah has disputed EOCO’s account of the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament after the incident, the MP said a woman approached him after the court proceedings and asked him to accompany her to the EOCO office.

He said he questioned why he was being taken to EOCO and asked whether he had been formally invited.

According to the MP, the woman told him he had previously been invited but failed to appear, a claim he said he disputed.

Baffour Awuah also said he asked the woman to identify herself and to show him the legal basis for taking him into custody.

He said he specifically wanted to know whether she had an arrest warrant but alleged that no such document was produced.

The MP said the circumstances made him fear for his safety and that he therefore decided to drive away.

He later went to Parliament, where he said he felt safer and was joined by colleagues.

Baffour Awuah described the incident as an attempted abduction and said he had acted to protect himself, his family, his constituents and his ability to continue representing his client.

Those claims are the MP’s account of the incident and have not been independently established.

Baffour Awuah said his decision to go to Parliament was also connected to parliamentary work he was expected to undertake.

He said he had committee-related responsibilities and therefore proceeded to the parliamentary precincts after leaving the court.

EOCO, for its part, said it was aware that the MP had gone to Parliament to seek sanctuary, despite Parliament currently being on recess.

The agency stressed that it recognises and respects the constitutional privileges and immunities enjoyed by Members of Parliament.

However, EOCO also maintained that parliamentary membership does not automatically bring an investigation to an end or place an individual outside the reach of lawful investigative processes.

The Office said any action involving the MP would be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and applicable laws.

The confrontation occurred shortly after proceedings involving Salomey Baffoe Awiti at the Accra High Court.

Baffour Awuah is representing Baffoe Awiti as her lawyer.

Baffoe Awiti is facing a case involving allegations of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication and circulation of false information linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.

According to the Ghana News Agency, Baffoe Awiti, a 40-year-old nurse, was remanded after being accused of conspiring with UK-based TikTok personality Barbara Asantewa Kodua, popularly known as “Ghana Jollof”, to publish and circulate false news.

She has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution has alleged that investigations into the case are continuing and that the matter involves national security concerns.

The High Court on Wednesday adjourned Baffoe Awiti’s bail application to Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The adjournment followed a request by the prosecution for additional time to respond to the defence’s bail application.

Assistant State Attorney Carl Afedzi Forson told the court that he was not the substantive lawyer handling the matter and that the Attorney-General’s Office had only been served with the bail application the previous Friday.

He explained that Monday had been a public holiday, meaning the application had not yet been assigned to a lawyer within the Attorney-General’s Office for a response.

The prosecution consequently requested a short adjournment to prepare and file its response.

Baffour Awuah opposed the request, arguing that the matter concerned the liberty of his client and should therefore be dealt with expeditiously.

The court subsequently fixed Thursday, September 24, for the bail hearing.

EOCO maintains investigation is ongoing

EOCO has reiterated that its investigation remains active.

The Office said it would examine the events surrounding the attempted arrest, including video evidence and the conduct of those who allegedly intervened.

It also maintained that it would continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities while respecting the Constitution, the rule of law and the privileges and immunities attached to Parliament.

The statement was signed by the Head/Corporate Affairs and Public Education for the Executive Director of EOCO and dated September 23, 2026.

The incident has produced two competing accounts.

EOCO maintains that Baffour Awuah had been invited twice in February to assist with an ongoing investigation, failed to honour the invitations and was therefore the subject of a lawful attempt to secure his attendance.

Baffour Awuah, however, disputes that account and says he was approached by a woman who could not provide the identification or arrest warrant he requested. He maintains that he drove away because he feared for his safety.

The immediate circumstances of the confrontation, including the precise legal basis for the attempted arrest and the conduct of the individuals involved, remain subject to further clarification.

EOCO has indicated that it will review the available evidence before taking any further action.

Meanwhile, attention is expected to return to the High Court on Thursday, September 24, when the bail application involving Salomey Baffoe Awiti is scheduled to continue.