{
  "id": 9939041,
  "title": "Rule of law must be protected – GBA condemns EOCO action against Baffour Awuah",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/rule-of-law-must-be-protected-gba-condemns-eoco-action-against",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T07:44:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/rule-of-law-must-be-protected-gba-condemns-eoco-action-against-baffour-awuah/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned the attempted arrest of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a Manhyia South MP and lawyer, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026. The GBA's statement, signed by President Mrs Efua Ghartey and National Secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour, expressed concern over the incident, which occurred while Mr Awuah was representing a client at the court. The Association also noted videos circulating online showing another lawyer, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, being assaulted by what was later confirmed by EOCO to be one of its officers. The GBA emphasized that while no individual is above the law, enforcement actions involving lawyers must adhere to constitutional guarantees, legal procedures, and the independence of the legal profession. They warned that actions perceived as circumventing these safeguards could create an atmosphere of intimidation and have a chilling effect on lawyers performing their professional duties. The GBA highlighted previous concerns raised by its President about incidents involving lawyers while performing their duties, calling on EOCO and other state institutions to ensure their actions comply with due process, fairness, and respect for the rights of all persons involved.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "EOCO was wrong in its approach to arrest Baffour Awuah - Kpebu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/eoco-was-wrong-in-its-approach-to-arrest-baffour-awuah-kpebu",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:47:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}