‘It was very dangerous; a lot could have gone’ – Lawyer on EOCO official’s conduct in botched arrest of Manhyia South MP

Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has voiced his support for reducing the power of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in light of the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. Addressing the Joy Super Morning Show, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu highlighted the incident as a pressing concern regarding the behavior and supervision of intelligence agencies, especially concerning their interactions with Members of Parliament.

He emphasized that the Constitution outlines explicit protections for MPs and other parliamentary officials, citing Articles 117, 118(1) and (2), and 123. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned the decision to pursue the MP to court and attempt an arrest when, in his words, the law firm where Baffour Awuah serves as a senior partner had already responded to a previous invitation.

He clarified that the invitation was addressed to the law firm as a collective, with the MP expected to contribute in his role as a senior officer of the firm. Baffour Awuah later sought counsel from the Clerk of Parliament, after which it was decided that another senior firm member could represent them. The investigators, according to Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, did not raise any new concerns about the statement submitted by the firm's female senior officer since April and had not requested further involvement.

Consequently, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned the sudden decision to trace and track Baffour Awuah to the court and attempt an arrest. He dismissed the intelligence authorities' explanation, stating that it lacked justification. The former Majority Leader condemned the incident as unnecessary and unfortunate, warning against its escalation.

He warned that such actions pose a threat to democracy. The situation has sparked discussions about the appropriate boundaries for intelligence and investigative bodies when dealing with elected officials, especially when parliamentary privilege and legal matters are at play. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also drew attention to Article 123 of the Constitution, which grants MPs the chance to personally observe and address situations of suffering, persecution, or freedom breaches, and bring these issues to Parliament's attention.

He argued that Baffour Awuah, as a lawyer, also had the right to be present during court proceedings involving his client. The MP subsequently sought refuge in Parliament, where he addressed the incident. Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed the importance of respecting constitutional provisions to avoid similar clashes between state agencies and Parliament in the future.