Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing the incident as a “retrogression” for Ghana’s democracy.
According to Kpebu, established parliamentary procedures should have been followed before any attempt was made to arrest or compel the lawmaker to appear before investigators.
“It’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression,” he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at the court premises,Kpebu explained that where a sitting Member of Parliament is required to assist with an investigation, the appropriate procedure is for the relevant state institution to communicate with the Speaker of Parliament, who would then engage the MP and facilitate arrangements for the lawmaker to make himself available.
“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 said.
He said the procedure was important to prevent state security agencies from being used by governments to intimidate opposition members.
“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,” Kpebu stated.
He cautioned the government to be mindful of how state institutions handle such matters, stressing that political power is temporary and governments can change.
“This is our democracy; no party can stay in office forever. So, the tables will always turn,” he said.
“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.
High-drama scenes unfolded at the Accra High Court Complex on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after security personnel, reportedly from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), clashed with lawyers and supporters of detained senior nursing officer Salomey Baffoe Awiti.
The confrontation centered around Manhyia South Member of Parliament and legal counsel for the accused, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, resulting in a physical altercation and a tense vehicle pursuit outside the court premises.
Videos circulating widely online captured a tense moment at the entrance of a vehicle where a female security officer attempted to block the MP from departing.
Heated words were exchanged before a scuffle broke out between security operatives and members of the legal team.
Amid the scuffle, a member of the defence team opened the vehicle door, cleared the path, and enabled Mr. Baffour Awuah to drive off, with security personnel briefly pursuing his vehicle.
Sources close to EOCO indicated that the operation was an attempt to pick up the Manhyia South legislator over allegations that he had failed to honour formal invitations to assist with ongoing investigations tied to the controversial “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
