Chief Justice must examine arrests of suspects on court premises – Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged the Chief Justice to investigate the practice of law enforcement agencies attempting to arrest suspects on court premises. This comes after an alleged incident where officers from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) allegedly tried to arrest Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a Manhyia South MP, as he left the Accra High Court on September 23.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Afenyo-Markin expressed concerns over the conduct of investigating agencies within court premises. He stated that Baffour Awuah, a lawyer by profession, was defending a client in court when EOCO officers, who were waiting outside, ambushed him upon exiting the courtroom. Afenyo-Markin questioned whether investigating agencies are permitted to enter court premises solely to arrest a suspect or accused person.

He emphasized that the justice delivery system needs to examine this issue, and the Chief Justice should determine the legitimacy of such actions. Additionally, Afenyo-Markin raised concerns about the departure from established procedures for state agencies seeking the presence of Members of Parliament (MPs). He explained that agencies like the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Ghana Police Service, and EOCO are expected to formally request an MP's appearance through the Speaker of Parliament, who then refers the matter to Parliament's leadership.

Afenyo-Markin questioned the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident and asked what had changed, implying that the situation appears unusual.