MPship should not shield anyone from arrest – Felix Ofosu-Kwakye

Government spokesperson and MP Felix Kwakye Ofosu has dismissed claims that Members of Parliament should be protected from arrest. He emphasized that an MP's status should not grant them immunity from law enforcement, stating that the law should apply equally to politicians and ordinary citizens. "There should be no difference between the coconut seller and the MP when it comes to law enforcement, unless we want to promote elitism," he stated on Joy News’ PM Express.

Mr Ofosu-Kwakye was responding to concerns about the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) officers. He rejected allegations that the officers intended to kidnap the MP, asserting that the video showed the officer acting with restraint. "At the beginning of the video, I can say that I have never seen a law enforcement officer show so much politeness and civility towards a subject that he wants to arrest," he noted.

According to Ofosu-Kwakye, the arresting officer was part of EOCO's surveillance team and had been with the agency for 17 years. He added that the officer could have been more strategic in evaluating the environment before making the arrest. The officer was part of a tactical team that could have intervened if necessary, but they decided not to, as using force could have escalated the situation.

"They decided not to because they gauged the altercation had ensued and noticed that if they went to apply force or do anything, you could escalate the situation. So they just what do you call it? Step down," he explained.

The MP challenged the notion that MPs should be treated differently during law enforcement operations, asserting that if an MP were suspected of committing a crime, their parliamentary status should not prevent law enforcement from acting. "I’m an MP. If I am believed to have committed a crime, my membership of Parliament should not be a stumbling block," he said.

He acknowledged that MPs enjoy protection while traveling to and from Parliament but rejected the idea of using parliamentary status as a broader shield against law enforcement. "The attempt that MPs make to use MPship as a reason why law enforcement cannot get them must stop," he concluded.