Rein in NIB over attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has voiced support for stricter regulation of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in light of an attempted arrest against Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. During an appearance on Joy Super Morning Show, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasized the necessity of proper oversight of intelligence agencies, citing potential breaches of parliamentary privilege and legal procedures.

He pointed to key constitutional articles, such as 117, 118(1) and (2), and 123, which outline the boundaries of parliamentary conduct and MPs' roles in protecting their constituents' interests. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned the decision to pursue Awuah to court when his law firm had already responded to an earlier invitation to assist in his capacity as a senior partner.

He claimed that Baffour Awuah consulted the Clerk of Parliament, leading to another senior officer representing the firm, who appeared before investigators multiple times without any further issues being raised. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu criticized the intelligence agency's explanation, stating that it lacked justification for the sudden arrival at the court premises to attempt an arrest.

He warned against the incident's potential to escalate and warned of the dangers it poses to Ghana's democracy. The former Majority Leader also stressed the importance of upholding parliamentary privilege and MPs' rights to attend court proceedings involving their clients.