Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Manhyia South MP and lawyer for Salomey Baffoe, has defended his decision to flee the Accra High Court following an attempted arrest by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to take him into custody.
According to him, the woman claimed to be an EOCO official but failed to provide any evidence to establish her identity or show that she had the authority to take him into custody. He said he therefore offered to drive himself to the EOCO office, but the woman rejected the suggestion and insisted that he use their vehicle.
The situation he said, heightened his concerns when the woman was also unable to produce an arrest warrant when he asked to see one.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, September 23, Baffour Awuah said, “It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that have been going on, which is sponsored by the state,” he said.
He explained that he subsequently decided to drive to safety, citing his responsibility to his constituents, the Minority Caucus, his family and his client, Salomey Baffoe.
“And that is why I had to run. I had to drive to safety. I’ve come to Parliament and then my colleagues are behind me and I thank them very much,” he said.
The incident followed proceedings in the bail application of Salomey Baffoe, who is facing a charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false information linked to the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The High Court subsequently adjourned the bail hearing to September 24 after the prosecution requested more time to respond to the application.
Baffour Awuah’s side has further alleged that the attempted arrest was intended to silence him over his public defence of Baffoe, whom the Police have accused of assisting the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” account to disseminate content.
