Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the reported attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
Kpebu described the reported incident as a setback for Ghana’s democratic development, arguing that law enforcement agencies must follow established parliamentary procedures when seeking to engage a sitting legislator.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the lawyer said the Speaker of Parliament should ordinarily be involved when security or law enforcement authorities need to question a sitting MP.
He explained that the appropriate process should allow the Speaker to engage the lawmaker and facilitate arrangements for any necessary interaction with the investigating agency.
Kpebu also expressed concern that security institutions could be used to put pressure on lawmakers who openly criticise or challenge the government.
He cautioned that political power is not permanent and said governments should avoid actions that could later be repeated against their own members or supporters when political circumstances change.
His comments come after reports that EOCO officials attempted to get Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to accompany them from the Accra High Court to the agency’s offices.
Sources close to the MP reportedly said the action was connected to EOCO’s investigations and claims that the lawmaker had not responded to invitations from the agency.
The sources also alleged that the incident could be linked to the MP’s public defence of Salomey Baffoe, who has been accused of being an accomplice of the operator behind the Ghana Jollof TikTok account.
EOCO has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the reported incident.
Footage from the court premises showed a woman who identified herself as an EOCO officer asking the MP to accompany her. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah declined the request before leaving the premises in his vehicle, with another vehicle believed to be associated with the officials seen following him.
Kpebu has urged state authorities to exercise restraint and ensure that parliamentary processes are respected in dealings involving elected lawmakers.
