{
  "id": 11190488,
  "title": "Parliamentary immunity must not shield MPs from criminal investigations – Srem-Sai",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/parliamentary-immunity-must-not-shield-mps-from-criminal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T12:05:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/parliamentary-immunity-must-not-shield-mps-from-criminal-investigations-srem-sai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has cautioned that parliamentary immunity could be misused to protect MPs from criminal investigations if not properly scrutinized. According to Dr Srem-Sai, the protection afforded by Article 117 should not enable legislators to avoid legal consequences. He argued that allowing MPs to evade arrest without consequence could result in impunity. The Deputy AG's concerns emerged following controversy surrounding EOCO's attempt to arrest MP Nana Agyei Baffour-Awuah. The Minority and legal practitioners have criticized EOCO's approach, alleging it was politically motivated and that it failed to follow parliamentary procedures. Dr Srem-Sai, however, stressed the importance of law enforcement agencies being able to exercise their powers. The constitutional provision at the heart of the debate, Article 117, is said to shield MPs and the Speaker from service or execution of civil or criminal processes during parliamentary proceedings. Some legal experts argue that the scope of this protection does not guarantee immunity from arrest when MPs are not participating in parliamentary activities. The case began when EOCO sought to arrest Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court, leading to a standoff. EOCO claimed the operation was related to an ongoing investigation following two invitations, which Baffour Awuah allegedly ignored. Baffour Awuah maintains that the invitation was about a different matter, involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company, a former client of his law firm. He says he informed the Clerk to Parliament about the invitation, after which the company's representative appeared before EOCO multiple times to provide requested information. The High Court subsequently issued a warrant for Baffour Awuah's arrest and authorized EOCO to search for documents related to the investigation.",
  "summary": "Deputy Attorney-General (AG) and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has warned that parliamentary immunity could become a shield for impunity if constitutional protections for Members of Parliament (MPs) are applied without careful consideration.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}