EOCO must go through Speaker before seeking to arrest Baffour Awuah – Dafeamekpor

South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for allegedly attempting to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah within the Accra High Court without following proper protocol. In a statement on X, Mr Dafeamekpor deemed the reported attempt to detain the MP within the court as "absolutely unacceptable" if EOCO had not adhered to the established procedure for dealing with parliamentarians.

He referred to Article 117 of the Constitution, which outlines the process for serving civil and criminal proceedings on the Speaker, MPs, and the Clerk to Parliament. Mr Dafeamekpor maintained that the procedure for arresting an MP now requires obtaining approval through the Speaker. He emphasized that when a law prescribes a specific method for exercising a right, that prescribed method must be followed.

The MP stated that Parliament would oppose any breach of the established protocol between the House and law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, he argued that such incidents could tarnish Parliament's reputation, especially given that it is currently hosting an ECOWAS Parliament conference in Accra. Dafeamekpor's objection pertains to the procedure, not the alleged unlawful investigation of Baffour Awuah.

He urged that if Baffour Awuah is accused of committing an offense requiring his presence by EOCO, then the law should be adhered to, but it must follow lawful procedure. The account provided by Dafeamekpor describes the attempted arrest, but the context and EOCO's stance on the matter remain unverified in the supplied information.