‘This is a retrogression’ — Martin Kpebu condemns alleged EOCO attempt to arrest MP

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the alleged attempt by officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing the incident as a “retrogression” in Ghana’s democratic development. 

The controversy erupted on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Accra High Court, shortly after Baffour Awuah had represented detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti during a bail hearing.

According to reports, a woman believed to be an EOCO officer approached the MP as he was leaving the court premises and asked him to accompany her to the EOCO office. A confrontation subsequently occurred, with the MP eventually driving away from the premises while another vehicle reportedly followed him.

Reacting to the incident, Kpebu questioned the manner in which the alleged arrest was being pursued and argued that established parliamentary procedures should be considered when law-enforcement authorities require the presence of a sitting MP.

“It’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression,” Kpebu said.

Kpebu calls for parliamentary procedure

Kpebu said his understanding of the relevant parliamentary and constitutional framework is that an investigative agency seeking the assistance or attendance of a sitting MP should communicate with the Speaker of Parliament, who can then engage the lawmaker and facilitate arrangements for the MP to appear before the investigators.

He argued that such procedures are important to prevent security institutions from being perceived as being used to intimidate or target lawmakers, particularly opposition MPs.

The lawyer also warned that political power is not permanent and urged those in government to consider the long-term implications of how state institutions are used.

EOCO gives a different account

EOCO has confirmed that its officers attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah but says they were acting within their statutory responsibilities as part of an ongoing investigation.

The Office said the MP had previously been invited on two occasions in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but did not honour the invitations. EOCO therefore said the attempted arrest was one of the lawful steps it took to secure his attendance.

The attempted arrest was unsuccessful after the situation escalated at the court premises.

Baffour Awuah has separately disputed the circumstances surrounding the operation, saying the woman who approached him did not provide evidence of her identity or produce an arrest warrant when he requested one. He said these circumstances led him to fear for his safety and drive away.

Incident triggers wider debate

The incident has since triggered calls for clarity over the procedures governing arrests and investigations involving sitting MPs, particularly when such actions occur within court premises.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has also called on the Chief Justice to examine whether investigative agencies are permitted to enter court premises specifically to arrest suspects or accused persons.

For now, the competing accounts from EOCO and Baffour Awuah remain central to the controversy, while Kpebu’s intervention has intensified the debate over parliamentary privileges, law-enforcement powers and the protection of democratic institutions.