Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has condemned the reported attempt by Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) officials to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing the incident as a setback for Ghana’s democratic progress.
He said the incident could raise questions about whether state security institutions are being used to intimidate or silence vocal Members of Parliament, especially those on the opposition side.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Kpebu stressed that law enforcement agencies must follow established parliamentary procedures when seeking 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, and they will find a suitable time, etc. Then the MP avails himself,” he stated.
He further cautioned the government against forgetting that political power is not permanent, noting that the fortunes of political parties can change over time.
“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 called on state officials to act with restraint, cautioning that using security agencies against political opponents could set a precedent with implications for future governments.
“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 remarks came after reports that EOCO officials attempted to apprehend the Manhyia South MP at the Accra High Court on Wednesday.
Sources close to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said the reported attempt was linked to allegations that the MP had not responded to invitations from EOCO to aid its ongoing investigations.
The sources further alleged that the reported arrest attempt was connected 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 yet to publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Footage from the court premises showed a woman who identified herself as an EOCO officer asking Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to accompany her to the agency’s office. The MP declined the request and later drove away, while a vehicle believed to belong to the officials was seen following him.
The reported incident has sparked debate over the procedures that should govern interactions between law enforcement agencies and sitting MPs. While sources have provided explanations for the attempted arrest, EOCO has not yet publicly clarified the matter or stated the basis for its reported action.
