The Minority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to rein in his appointees following the reported attempt by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23.
The Minority’s call comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the arrest and prosecution of social commentator Salomey Baffoe, who is accused of abetting the publication of false information in connection with content associated with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also a lawyer representing Baffoe, was at the High Court on Wednesday for proceedings concerning her bail application when an incident involving persons identified as EOCO officials occurred.
Reports from the scene indicate that the officials sought to take the legislator into custody. However, the circumstances surrounding the reported attempted arrest, including whether the MP had received a formal invitation from EOCO and the specific legal basis for the intended arrest, remain unclear.
EOCO had not publicly issued a detailed statement on the incident at the time of reporting.
The confrontation reportedly escalated outside the court premises, with videos circulating showing an exchange between the MP and a woman identified as an EOCO official, followed by a scuffle as Baffour Awuah attempted to leave in his vehicle.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, September 23, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised what he described as excesses by the government and urged President Mahama to ensure that state institutions operate within the law.
“Mr. President, reflect on your legacy. You are left with almost just 2 years from exiting office. The question is, what would you tell Ghanaians when you are in your quiet moment? Can you proudly say, the second opportunity you were given by God, you used that chance to transform your country?
“Watch these excesses, enough is enough. Call your appointees to order because this is not the Ghana we want. We are not against accountability and we always say that. We are not against any state institution going about its lawful duty as enshrined in any enactment or the Constitution. What we are saying is that a state institution must be seen to be doing its work lawfully.”
