Dame criticises Baffour Awuah’s EOCO detention, alleges abuse of state power

Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Attorney-General’s Office of using state powers to settle political scores.

Dame made the allegation in a social media post on Saturday, October 3, in response to the arrest and detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by EOCO.

The former Attorney General questioned why the MP had spent two nights in EOCO custody without bail, despite what he described as previous instances where public officials facing serious criminal allegations were granted bail without spending a night in custody.

“The deployment of state power to settle scores and punish political opponents is the lowest point of law enforcement,” Dame said.

He cited the cases of former Minister for Works and Housing Collins Dauda, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson and Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine as examples of public officials who, according to him, were granted self-recognisance bail or bail without spending time in custody.

The former Attorney General also questioned whether the issues being investigated in relation to Mr Baffour Awuah’s alleged involvement in a GH¢2.2 million legal fee transaction constituted criminal conduct.

He further alleged that the investigative and prosecutorial powers of state institutions had been used to target political opponents, while organised crimes such as narcotics trafficking continued to persist.

His comments come after EOCO said it is continuing investigations into Mr Baffour Awuah following his voluntary surrender to the Office on October 1.

The MP has been cooperating with investigators, according to EOCO, which said it is working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring him before a weekend court in accordance with applicable constitutional and procedural requirements.

“Mindful of the applicable constitutional timeframes and procedural requirements governing bail, the Office is fervently working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring the Suspect before a weekend court,” EOCO said in a statement issued on Friday, October 2.

The anti-graft agency also denied reports that it had granted Mr Baffour Awuah GH¢50 million bail and urged the public to disregard such reports.

Baffour Awuah’s detention follows an ongoing EOCO investigation into a transaction involving his former law firm and SIC Life, with reports indicating that the investigation centres on allegations including financial and related offences.