EOCO was wrong in its approach to arrest Baffour Awuah - Kpebu

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) faced criticism for its method of apprehending Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a Member of Parliament and legal practitioner, at the Accra High Court Complex. Lawyer Martin Kpebu argued that the EOCO's approach was misguided, stating that the organization should have written to the Speaker of Parliament instead.

On September 23, 2026, while Awuah was at the court representing a client, he was taken into custody by the EOCO. In an interview, Awuah asserted that he was correct, as there was no other way to interpret the events. The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) also voiced concerns over the EOCO's actions, citing a video that showed another lawyer, Mr. Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, being assaulted by an EOCO operative.

The GBA emphasized that legal professionals must be treated with respect and that any enforcement action must comply with constitutional guarantees and standard legal procedures. They warned that bypassing these safeguards could lead to a chilling effect on the legal profession and erode public confidence in the justice system. The GBA's National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, had previously warned of the need for lawyers to be able to defend their clients without fear of harassment.

Following the incident, the GBA issued a statement on September 24, 2026, urging all state institutions to uphold due process, fairness, and individual rights.