Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who also represents Salomey Baffoe, has explained his decision to leave the Accra High Court after EOCO officials reportedly tried to take him into custody.
He said the woman identified herself as an EOCO official but did not provide any documentation to confirm her identity or demonstrate that she had the authority to arrest him. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said he offered to drive himself to the EOCO office, but she reportedly declined and insisted that he use the vehicle provided by the officials.
He said his concerns grew when the woman could not produce an arrest warrant after he asked to see one.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, September 23, Baffour Awuah said the circumstances led him to believe that he could be at risk of being forcibly taken away. He alleged that the incident resembled what he described as recent kidnappings allegedly sponsored by the state.
He said he subsequently chose to drive away to safety, stressing that he had a 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 reported incident occurred after proceedings in the bail application involving Salomey Baffoe, who has been charged with abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false information associated with the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The High Court later adjourned the bail hearing to September 24, following a request by the prosecution for additional time to respond to the application.
Baffour Awuah’s side has also alleged that the reported arrest attempt was aimed at silencing him over his public defence of Baffoe, whom the Police have accused of assisting the operator of the “Ghana Jollof” account in disseminating the content.
The reported incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding EOCO’s attempt to take the MP into custody. While Baffour Awuah has given his account of why he left the court premises, the full circumstances of the reported arrest attempt remain subject to clarification by the relevant authorities.
