Lawyer for Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, Samuel Atta Akyea, has criticised the continued detention of his client by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Mr Atta Akyea questioned why the MP was still being kept in custody, especially after he had voluntarily gone to EOCO to assist with an ongoing investigation involving transactions at SIC Life Savings and Loans.
The lawyer expressed his concerns after visiting the EOCO office following Baffour Awuah’s arrest on Thursday, October 1.
Earlier that day, the MP had reported himself to EOCO to help with investigations after an Accra High Court issued a warrant for his arrest. He was later taken into custody, with investigators expected to continue questioning him on Friday.
“The power play is disgusting. If my client, who is a Member of Parliament, is treated this way, then who is safe?” Mr Atta Akyea said.
Mr Atta Akyea also questioned the need to keep his client in custody after he had willingly presented himself to the investigators.
The detention comes after EOCO had made several attempts to get Baffour Awuah to appear before the agency as part of its investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
EOCO had said it had tried other reasonable ways to get the MP to appear voluntarily before going to court to obtain an arrest warrant.
According to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Baffour Awuah had earlier referred EOCO’s invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.
Mr Afenyo-Markin has called for the immediate release of the Manhyia South MP. However, he said the Minority Caucus does not intend to interfere with the investigation.
“We do not by this seek to prejudge the SIC Life Savings & Loans investigation. No one is above the law, EOCO included,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority Leader also raised concerns about how the MP was being treated. He claimed that EOCO did not recognise earlier correspondence sent to the agency through the Clerk of Parliament.
The situation has also led to visits to EOCO by some members of the opposition caucus and other NPP figures who want to understand the circumstances surrounding the MP’s detention.
Mr Atta Akyea’s comments have added to the growing discussion about how investigative agencies use their powers, particularly when it comes to detaining people during investigations.
For the lawyer, the issue is now not only about the investigation into SIC Life Savings and Loans but also about how EOCO is exercising its powers.
Baffour Awuah remains in EOCO custody as investigators continue their work. His lawyers maintain that he is cooperating with the investigation, while EOCO has not yet said when the MP will be released.
