New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has explained why he drove away from the Accra High Court after what he described as an attempt by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to take him into custody.
The lawmaker, who is also counsel for social commentator Madam Salomey Baffoe, said his suspicion was triggered after a woman who identified herself as an EOCO official allegedly failed to produce identification, proof of authority or an arrest warrant when he requested them.
According to Nana Baffour Awuah, he offered to drive himself to the EOCO office to verify the invitation, but the official insisted that he travel in their vehicle.
He said that raised concerns about his safety and prompted him to leave the area.
“It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that have been going on, which is sponsored by the state,” Nana Baffour Awuah told journalists at Parliament House on Wednesday.
“And that is why I had to run. I had to drive to safety. I have come to Parliament and then my colleagues are behind me and I thank them very much,” he added.
The Manhyia South MP said his decision was also influenced by his responsibilities to his constituents, the Minority Caucus, his family and his client.
The incident occurred after proceedings in the bail application of Madam Baffoe, who is facing a charge of abetment of crime over the alleged publication of false information linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The High Court subsequently adjourned the bail hearing to Thursday, September 24, after the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the application.
Nana Baffour Awuah's side further alleged that the attempted arrest was connected to his public defence of Madam Baffoe and was intended to silence him.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin expressed concern over the alleged incident and called on the President to ensure that state institutions and their officials operated within the law.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the Minority was not against accountability but insisted that state institutions must perform their duties in accordance with the law.
He also urged the President to use the remainder of his tenure to strengthen state institutions and ensure that their operations reflected the principles of accountability and respect for the law.
The Minority Leader further called on the President to ensure that his appointees exercised their responsibilities lawfully and that state institutions were seen to be operating within their mandates.
At the time of filing the report, several aspects of the incident remained unclear, including whether Nana Baffour Awuah had received a formal invitation from EOCO and the legal basis for the alleged intended arrest.
EOCO had also not issued a detailed public statement on the incident.
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