Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the reported attempt by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing it as a retrogression in Ghana’s democratic development.
According to him, the incident raises concerns about the potential misuse of state security agencies to intimidate or suppress outspoken lawmakers, particularly those in opposition.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Kpebu argued that established parliamentary procedures must be respected when law enforcement agencies seek to question or arrest a sitting Member of Parliament.
“It’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression. My understanding so far is that you would write to the Speaker of Parliament. Then the Speaker would make arrangements to talk to the MP, then they will find a suitable time, etc. Then the MP avails himself,” he stated.
He further cautioned that government must remember that power is temporary and that the political fortunes of parties can change.
“It’s to avoid a situation where a ruling government would try to use the police and other security agencies to clamp down on vociferous opposition MPs. This is our democracy; no party can stay in office forever. So the tables will always turn,” he said.
The lawyer also urged state officials to exercise restraint, warning that the use of security institutions against political opponents could have consequences when power changes hands.
“So when officialdom is doing these things, they should be careful, very, very careful. It was just yesterday we drove out Akufo-Addo and the NPP because of such matters. NDC comes, and they are repeating the same? They should know how Ghanaians will react,” he added.
His comments follow reports that EOCO officials attempted to arrest the Manhyia South MP at the Accra High Court on Wednesday.
Citi News sources close to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said the reported action was connected to claims that the MP had failed to honour invitations from EOCO to assist with its investigations.
The sources, however, alleged that the attempted arrest was also linked to the MP’s public defence of Salomey Baffoe, who has been accused of being an accomplice of the operator of the Ghana Jollof TikTok account. EOCO has not publicly clarified the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.
Videos from the court premises showed a woman identifying herself as an EOCO officer asking Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to accompany her to the agency’s office. The MP declined and was subsequently seen driving away, with a vehicle believed to be associated with the officials following him.
