“Why engage someone else if you wanted Manhyia South MP?” – Lawyer asks EOCO

Legal expert Samson Lardy Anyenini has raised questions about why the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) sought the testimony of the senior partner of a law firm over Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, despite the agency's apparent primary focus on questioning or arresting the MP. This situation emerged following EOCO's attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court, with the agency claiming it had invited him since February 2026, but he did not respond.

Speaking on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, Mr Anyenini denied the notion that EOCO had been chasing Baffour Awuah through a series of unacknowledged invitations. He stated that the initial February letter was sent to the senior partner of his law firm, requesting their assistance in an ongoing investigation. Baffour Awuah notified EOCO on February 17 and 18 that he had become an MP and suggested referring any required involvement to the Clerk of Parliament.

The senior partner, Theresa Terbi, subsequently met with EOCO, and her statement was recorded. Mr Anyenini questioned why EOCO now portrays the matter as if Baffour Awuah had ignored their invitation, arguing that the initial communication did not imply the MP had committed a crime and was actively sought. He pointed out that a second letter was sent directly to Baffour Awuah on February 27 and questioned why EOCO continued with Theresa Terbi if the MP was the person of interest.

"If they were serious about Baffour, they wouldn't have included another individual in taking her statement," he noted. Anyenini also inquired about the lack of identification from EOCO officials when they attempted to arrest the MP at the High Court, six months after the agency's initial attempt. "Why, after over six months, do they still come to arrest him without showing identification?" he asked.

He explained that not every EOCO official has the authority to effect an arrest and that the agency's arrest powers are reserved for the Executive Director, deputies, or officers specifically authorized by the Executive Director. Anyenini stressed that an individual approached by unidentified officers in plainclothes has the right to ascertain their identity and the legal basis for the intended arrest.

He emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest warranted the necessity for identification. "If someone asks for a warrant or ID card, it's the right thing to do," he asserted.