The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Haruna Mohammed, has described the arrest warrant issued for the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, as too harsh. He argued that the circumstances surrounding the case could have been addressed through an invitation instead of resorting to an arrest warrant.
Speaking on the court’s latest decision, Mr Mohammed explained that the NPP had never opposed the arrest of Members of Parliament or lawyers where due process required such action. He stressed that the party’s objection had centred on the procedure used in the earlier attempt to arrest the Manhyia MP.
The Deputy General Secretary noted that established procedures govern how individuals are invited or arrested, with additional considerations applying to Members of Parliament. He argued that those procedures should be respected irrespective of the allegations or investigations involving a legislator.
“I think that the issuance of an arrest warrant is too harsh. I think that, based on what has been discussed and what we know publicly, I think that the MP should rather be invited than being issued an arrest warrant on him.”
Haruna Mohammed
Mr Mohammed further indicated that he had not personally seen the arrest warrant and was therefore awaiting the official document before making a definitive assessment of its contents. He nevertheless questioned whether the decision to issue the warrant was proportionate to the circumstances that had been publicly discussed.
Referencing the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the NPP Deputy General Secretary questioned the fairness of the decision if the warrant had indeed been issued in the circumstances described. He reiterated that the investigative process should be conducted in a manner that respects the established procedures applicable to the MP.
Meanwhile, Mr Mohammed described Honourable Awuah as a law-abiding citizen and a lawyer who understands the legal system. He therefore indicated that the MP’s response to the warrant would become clearer once the details of the court’s order had been properly reviewed.
The Deputy General Secretary also distinguished the party’s position from any suggestion that MPs should be immune from arrest. He explained that parliamentary status does not eliminate the application of criminal investigations or judicial processes, but the prescribed procedure must still guide any action taken against a legislator.
“We have never said that a Member of Parliament or lawyer cannot be arrested. What we said, and what is the fact, is that there is a procedure as to how people are arrested in this country, how people are invited.”
Haruna Mohammed
Additionally, Mr Mohammed linked his concerns to the events surrounding the earlier attempt to arrest the MP. He argued that the manner in which that incident unfolded, including information publicly circulated at the time, had contributed to the party’s reservations about the conduct of the process.
Therefore, the NPP Deputy General Secretary called for the circumstances surrounding the warrant to be considered carefully as the matter progresses. His position is that an invitation would have provided an alternative route for investigators to engage the Manhyia MP without immediately resorting to an arrest warrant.
Court Authorises EOCO To Arrest Manhyia MP Over SIC Life Probe
The arrest controversy involving Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has taken a new turn following an Accra High Court order authorising the Economic and Organised Crime Office to arrest him. The court also granted EOCO authority to search for and seize documents relevant to its ongoing investigation, while directing that the arrest be executed through the Speaker of Parliament.
The latest order follows an incident on September 23, when EOCO officers attempted to arrest the legislator at the Accra High Court complex. The operation occurred shortly after Honourable Baffour Awuah had represented his client in court and was captured on video as the encounter escalated.
EOCO subsequently explained that the attempted arrest was part of steps taken to secure the MP’s attendance in an investigation. The Office disclosed that two invitations had been issued to him in February 2026 and indicated that both were not honoured, prompting further action to secure his attendance.
The agency further indicated that officers stopped the operation after assessing that continuing could endanger public safety. EOCO also disclosed that two individuals who allegedly intervened to facilitate the MP’s departure had been identified, with their conduct being assessed for possible further action.
The NPP, however, questioned the manner in which the attempted arrest was carried out, with the party arguing that the process had not followed the appropriate procedure. The Ghana Bar Association also subsequently expressed concern about the attempted arrest, particularly because the incident occurred at the High Court complex while the MP was acting as legal counsel for Salomey Baffoe.
Meanwhile, the basis of the investigation has also become part of the public discussion. EOCO’s application to the High Court relates to alleged unauthorised financial transactions at SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited, with the Office citing suspected financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering among matters under investigation.
Honourable Baffour Awuah has disputed aspects of EOCO’s account, explaining that the February correspondence was addressed to him in his capacity as Senior Partner of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners. He has further indicated that after referring the matter to the Clerk to Parliament, a representative of the firm appeared before EOCO on three occasions and provided information requested by investigators.
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