GBA criticises EOCO over attempted arrest of lawyer Baffour Awuah at court premises

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed concern over the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP and lawyer, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) while he was at the Accra High Court Complex representing a client.

In a statement dated September 24, 2026, and signed by the GBA National President, Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour, the association said it had taken note of videos from the incident.

The GBA said the footage also showed another lawyer, Enoch Anwere Afoakwa, complaining that he had been assaulted by EOCO personnel who were attempting to effect the arrest.

While acknowledging that no individual was above the law, the association stressed that investigations or enforcement actions involving lawyers, particularly when they are engaged in representing clients, must be carried out in accordance with the Constitution, applicable legal procedures and the principles of professional independence.

GBA defends independence of legal profession

The association said lawyers play an important role in the administration of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights.

It warned that actions perceived as interfering with lawyers’ ability to perform their professional duties, particularly through what it described as arbitrary or irregular measures, could undermine public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.

The GBA also recalled comments by its President at the association’s 2025 annual conference in Wa, where she stressed the need for lawyers to be able to represent clients of their choice without intimidation.

“The Bar must never waiver in its role as the voice of the voiceless. Unfortunately, recent incidents affecting lawyers in the performance of their duties, have left much to be desired,” the statement read.

“Lawyers should be at liberty to defend clients of their choice without being heckled,” it added.

GBA recalls earlier BNI incident
The association further cited an earlier incident involving former Vice-President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo, and a female lawyer who had accompanied him to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to represent a client.

According to the GBA, the 2 lawyers were arrested and detained overnight, while the female lawyer, who was a nursing mother, was separated from her baby and initially unable to breastfeed the child.

The association said the incident raised concerns about the treatment of lawyers while carrying out their professional responsibilities.

“Recently, a former Vice President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo and his young female associate, who had gone to the defence of a client at BNI, were subjected to such regrettable treatment,” it read.

GBA calls for due process
The GBA called on EOCO and other state institutions and agencies to ensure that enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with due process, fairness and respect for the rights of all persons involved.

“The rule of law demands not only that justice be done, but that it be seen to be done,” the association said.

It stressed that the independence of the legal profession remains an essential component of a democratic society and must be protected at all times.