The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority in Parliament has descended heavily on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), accusing the anti-graft agency of abusing state power and acting with impunity.
The Minority slammed EOCO after it attempted to arrest Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court, describing the incident as an attack on parliamentary privileges and the rule of law.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, shortly after Baffour Awuah had appeared before the High Court as counsel for detained nurse Salomey Awiti Bafoh in a bail application.
Addressing the media in Parliament, the Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin warned that EOCO’s unchecked intimidation of citizens is becoming a dangerous threat to justice and democracy.
EOCO is the specialised government agency in Ghana mandated to monitor, investigate, and prosecute economic and organised financial crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion, among others.
However, the Office has been under intense public and political scrutiny over high-profile political arrests and onerous multi-million-cedi administrative bail conditions imposed on former NPP government officials.
On September 23, 2026, a woman who identified herself as an EOCO official approached the Manhyia South MP after the court proceedings and attempted to take him into custody.
The Minority said the incident was particularly concerning because Baffour Awuah had just represented Bafoh, whose bail application was adjourned to September 24 after the State requested more time to respond.
The caucus noted that the attempted arrest formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation against opposition lawmakers and citizens.
Minority demands investigation
The Minority is demanding a full account from the government on the legal basis for Bafoh’s arrest and detention, as well as an explanation from EOCO regarding its attempted arrest of Baffour Awuah.
It is also calling on EOCO to disclose the offence under investigation, the legal authority on which it sought to arrest the MP and the identity of the officer involved.
The caucus further wants an independent investigation into the alleged violations of Bafoh’s rights and assurances that future processes involving MPs will comply with parliamentary procedures.
The Minority said it will lodge a formal complaint with Parliament’s Committee on Privileges and Immunities over the incident.
The caucus also maintained that parliamentary privileges do not place MPs above the law but argued that any legal process involving a legislator must be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders.
The incident has added to growing political tensions surrounding the government’s handling of the recent international narcotics seizures and the detention of Bafoh.
Minority links incident to cocaine trafficking concerns
The Minority also linked the confrontation to its campaign for Parliament to be recalled to investigate recent international cocaine seizures involving consignments traced to Ghana.
The caucus cited the seizure of approximately 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at France’s Port of Dunkirk on September 10. French authorities found the cocaine concealed in a container carrying plastic waste that had arrived from Ghana.
The Minority said the seizure, together with other narcotics cases, raises questions about Ghana’s port security, cargo-scanning systems and the country’s alleged emergence as a transit point for international drug trafficking.
The caucus said Baffour Awuah is among the Minority MPs supporting the request for Parliament to be recalled to examine the issue.
According to the Minority, the timing of the attempted arrest is curious because it occurred as the caucus was pressing for parliamentary scrutiny of the cocaine seizures.
The caucus, however, said it was not claiming to know EOCO’s motives but argued that the agency should explain the timing and legal basis of its action.
Minority raises concerns over Salomey Bafoh’s detention
The Minority also criticised the detention of Salomey Awiti Bafoh, a senior nursing officer facing an abetment-of-crime charge linked to the alleged publication and circulation of false news concerning the “Ghana Jollof” social media account.
Madam Bafoh was remanded by the Adentan Circuit Court for two weeks after pleading not guilty.
Police alleged that she assisted the UK-based operator of the Ghana Jollof TikTok account to distribute videos and recruit others to circulate the content.
Her defence team led Baffour Awuah, has maintained that there is no justification for keeping her in custody, arguing that the investigation has effectively been completed.
The Minority had questioned the circumstances surrounding Bafoh’s arrest and detention, particularly the period before she appeared before a court.
The caucus further argued that the use of security agencies in a case involving alleged false-news publication raises broader concerns about freedom of expression and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.
EOCO’s denial
Meanwhile, EOCO has rejected that characterisation, claiming the attempted arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation and followed two invitations issued to Baffour Awuah in February 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EOCO said the MP had failed to honour the invitations and that the attempted arrest was one of the lawful steps taken to secure his attendance.
Baffour Awuah has, however, disputed EOCO’s account, saying the February correspondence concerned his former role as Senior Partner of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners and related to the firm’s representation of SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.
