A video has surfaced showing a confrontation at the forecourt of the Accra High Court after an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) officer approached the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, in an apparent attempt to arrest him.
The MP claimed that the attempt to arrest him was because he was representing his client in the Ghana Jollof case.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah told the woman to move from the front of his car, but she refused, which caused him to push her.
In the viral video shared on X, the situation escalated after the MP allegedly pushed the female EOCO officer away and demanded to see an arrest warrant.
“What shows that you are from EOCO?” the MP was heard asking the officer.
The officer reacted after the MP pushed her away, attempting to push the MP back, while some persons at the scene blocked her from stopping the MP from entering his vehicle.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah subsequently drove away from the scene. The EOCO officer was later seen getting into a white pickup vehicle and reportedly following the MP.
Meanwhile, it is not clear why EOCO was attempting to take the MP into custody.
Some netizens reacting to the video stated, “Which kind of malpractice is this? Yes, let’s blame the police service, and yes, let’s blame the government. They’re the state actors.
Maybe all the circumstances aren’t clear, but an MP is a legislator and an authority of the state.
Communicate the reason for the arrest.
Communicate to him the right to a lawyer of his choice.
Summon him to the police station.
Is he someone who will run into hiding for you to accost him at court premises?
This is how they will be arresting when power changes hands.
Even under the constitution, parliamentarians enjoy immunity from being served with civil court processes whilst on their way to parliament or from parliament or whilst performing their legal duties.
This is an unnecessary show of force”.
A netizen added, He nearly run over the lady, that is dangerous driving and endangering the public @GhPoliceService.
Is that how an MP should behave even if he disagrees with the arrest?”.
One X user added, “Sometimes I just don’t understand some of these personnel. What happened to following due process?”.
An X user argued, “For a sitting MP to be arrested, law enforcement agencies must respect procedural parliamentary immunities by securing a certificate from the Speaker of parliament. This Rambo-style of arrest is deeply troubling and must be condemned”.
One final X user added, “@EOCOghana. Raymond Archer, you people are failing the country.
If an EOCO officer approaches an MP to arrest him at the forecourt of the High Court, the public deserves to know the legal basis for that arrest. Was there a warrant? If yes, why was it not produced when demanded?
And what was the thinking behind the confrontation in the first place? What if that lady had been rammed by the car? Would we then be explaining why a preventable incident happened?
Law enforcement must operate within the law and with proper regard for public safety. We need answers, not explanations after the damage is done. Raymond Archer, you gotta come out and explain this Nonsense! Total BS and unnecessary!”
Watch the video below:
@ghnow_ Watch as EOCO officials reportedly attempt to arrest lawyer Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, counsel for Nurse Salomey Bafor Awiti, at the Accra High Court. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ EOCO Officials Attempt to Arrest Lawyer Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah at Accra High Court #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
