Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has questioned the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, describing the incident as unjustified and dangerous to Ghana’s democracy.
He argued that the original invitation from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) was directed at the law firm where Mr Baffour Awuah is a senior partner, rather than at him personally.
According to Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the MP consulted the Clerk of Parliament after receiving the invitation and was advised that another senior officer of the firm could represent the law firm.
He said a senior officer subsequently appeared before EOCO investigators on three occasions and submitted a statement on behalf of the firm.
Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu therefore questioned why the MP was later traced to the Accra High Court, where he was appearing as counsel, and an attempt was made to arrest him.
“So why out of the blue do they trace and track Baffour to the court premises and attempt an arrest?” he asked.
Describing the development as “an aftershock,” the former Majority Leader said he saw no justification for the attempted arrest.
“What they are saying clearly is an aftershock. It comes with no justification,” he said.
He further raised concerns about the implications of the incident for parliamentary privileges and the relationship between state investigative agencies and Parliament.
“It is dangerous to our democracy,” he said.
