Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Former Majority Leader in Parliament, has accused Speaker Alban Bagbin of changing the established procedure for dealing with Members of Parliament who are invited or arrested by security agencies.
According to Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, previous Speakers followed a tradition where security agencies informed the Speaker about MPs who were accused or required for questioning.
Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, however argued that Speaker Bagbin has now changed the “whole architecture” when he stated that security agencies are only required to notify his office and do not need to obtain his approval before arresting or inviting an MP for questioning.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM on September 24, 2026, Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated, “…Speaker Bagbin has changed the whole architecture. Now, he says he should just be notified and his approval is not needed”.
It will be recalled, Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has told Members of Parliament that security agencies do not require his permission to arrest or invite them for questioning.
Speaker Bagbin noted that security agencies are only obligated to formally inform his office of such actions.
According to Alban Bagbin, there is a growing misconception that security agencies must first seek approval from the Speaker before acting against lawmakers.
He explained that his office’s role is limited to being notified of any incident involving an MP, and to assess whether parliamentary privilege or immunity applies in each case.
Speaking to Members of Parliament during the Second Meeting of the Second Session of Parliament on Thursday, May 21, Alban Bagbin explained, “It’s not for the security agents to seek my permission before arresting or inviting a member of parliament for questioning. It’s not. It’s for them to inform me and include the circumstances or the allegations that have created the suspicion”.
Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu comments follow the attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court on September 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed that Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, ignored two invitations issued in February 2026 to assist with an ongoing investigation.
According to EOCO, its invitations were not honoured, prompting the Office to take steps to secure the MP’s attendance in accordance with the law.
EOCO revealed that its officers were acting in the lawful discharge of their responsibilities when they attempted to arrest the MP in connection with the investigation.
In a press statement stated, “The Office had previously invited Hon. Baffour Awuah to assist with the investigation on two occasions in February 2026. The invitations were not honoured”.
EOCO explained that the attempted arrest was one of the lawful steps it had taken to secure his attendance after the earlier invitations were not honoured.
According to EOCO, they have identified two persons who allegedly intervened to facilitate the MP’s departure from the scene and are assessing their conduct for possible further action.
EOCO maintained that being a member of Parliament does not by itself bring an investigation to an end or place an individual beyond the reach of the law.
They further disclosed that the investigation remains active and that it will review the circumstances surrounding the incident, including available video evidence, before determining its next steps.
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