The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, has been granted GH¢10 million bail with two sureties by the High Court following his arrest and interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The court, in granting the bail, held that the MP could not be considered a flight risk but directed him to remain available to investigators as the probe into the allegations against him continues.
Nana Baffour Awuah is expected to reappear before the court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The bail application followed extensive arguments between the MP’s lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
Defence seeks self-recognisance bail
Atta Akyea urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance, citing his position as a sitting Member of Parliament and a lawyer.
He told the court that Nana Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, at about 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his legal team.
According to the defence, the MP spent approximately eight hours at EOCO, where he was detained and subsequently subjected to further questioning.
EOCO also conducted searches at his residence and office under warrants obtained from the High Court.
Atta Akyea argued that his client’s voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators demonstrated that he had no intention of evading the investigation and therefore posed no flight risk.
He also challenged the substance of the allegations, particularly those relating to a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
According to the defence, Nana Baffour Awuah’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans.
The recovery process, the defence explained, resulted in prolonged litigation over the attachment of property believed to belong to the judgment debtor.
A third party subsequently laid claim to the property, leading to further legal proceedings. The claimant later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, resulting in terms of settlement being filed before a competent court.
Atta Akyea rejected the characterisation of the settlement as the “dissipation” of GH¢9.85 million.
He argued that the transaction arose from a commercial settlement and the payment of legal fees, rather than an unlawful diversion of funds.
The defence lawyer also cited previous criminal cases involving Members of Parliament, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda, in urging the court to consider granting the MP self-recognisance bail.
Prosecution seeks strict bail conditions
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, however, urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure Nana Baffour Awuah remained available to investigators and the court throughout the proceedings.
He disputed the defence’s assertion that the MP had consistently made himself available to investigative authorities.
According to Dr Srem-Sai, EOCO first invited Nana Baffour Awuah in February 2026 and subsequently made further attempts to secure his attendance.
The Deputy Attorney-General also referred to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23, followed by the issuance of an arrest warrant by the High Court on September 30.
He argued that these circumstances should be taken into account when determining the conditions attached to the MP’s bail.
Court grants GH¢10m bail
After considering the arguments from both sides, the High Court granted Nana Baffour Awuah bail in the sum of GH¢10 million with two sureties.
Both sureties are serving parliamentary colleagues of the Manhyia South MP.
The court further directed the MP to make himself available to investigators as the EOCO investigation continues.
He is also required to return to court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m.
EOCO investigation
The case forms part of an ongoing EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
The investigation covers allegations including criminal conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences.
The allegations remain under investigation, and no finding of criminal liability has been made against Nana Baffour Awuah in relation to the matters before the court.
