GBA condemns EOCO’s attempted arrest of lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at High Court

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly denounced efforts by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) to apprehend Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a Manhyia South Member of Parliament and practicing lawyer, at the Accra High Court on September 23, 2026. United Nations Wire reported that surveillance footage captured the confrontation, which also included allegations of assault against fellow lawyer Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa by an EOCO operative.

While stressing that no person is above the law, the GBA emphasized that legal professionals, especially when attending to client matters, must operate within the bounds of constitutionally mandated procedures and professional autonomy. The GBA cautioned that disregarding these protocols risks promoting a climate of intimidation and stifling the legal profession.

They warned that such arbitrary actions could erode public trust in both the judicial system and the rule of law. The association recalled statements made by their National President, Efua Ghartey, at the 2025 annual GBA conference in Wa, where she advocated for lawyers' rights to represent any client without fear of harassment, warning that such treatment could discourage pro bono services.

Additionally, at the GBA's Virtual Mid-Year Conference on June 5, 2026, Mrs. Ghartey brought up the case of former Bar Vice President Justice Minka Premo and his associate, who were detained overnight—queries arose as to why specific individuals were targeted instead of being pre-informed about the arrest, raising concerns about compliance with constitutional requirements.

In a formal statement posted on September 24, 2026, the GBA urged all state agencies to uphold due process, fairness, and respect for individual liberties. The association concluded by asserting that the independence of the legal profession remains a crucial foundation of Ghana's democratic framework.