Lawyer and Senior Vice-President of IMANI Ghana, Kofi Bentil, has questioned the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Speaking during a panel discussion on Saturday, October 3, Mr Bentil described the arrest as a political witch-hunt and argued that the action against the legislator appeared politically motivated.
He said the perception was not limited to one political grouping, claiming that people within both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) recognised the controversy surrounding the case.
According to Mr Bentil, questions remain about the specific allegations underpinning the arrest and the conduct being investigated by EOCO.
He questioned what offence the MP had allegedly committed, saying the information available publicly suggested that the matter involved claims that he had received fees beyond what was considered appropriate in transactions involving the parties.
Mr Bentil made the comments during a discussion on EOCO’s handling of the case, amid growing debate over the circumstances surrounding the MP’s arrest.
However, legal practitioner and NDC Communications Team member Theophelious Dzimegah Jnr defended EOCO’s actions. He argued that the anti-graft agency was performing its statutory responsibilities and had not infringed on the MP’s rights.
Mr Dzimegah said the MP should have made himself available to investigators, particularly because of his connection to the law firm linked to the transactions under investigation.
The dispute follows an earlier attempt by EOCO to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on September 23. EOCO said it wanted to secure his attendance after previous invitations had not been honoured.
His lawyers, however, disputed that account, saying a representative of the law firm had engaged investigators and supplied requested information.
The MP later reported himself to EOCO on October 1 after the High Court issued an arrest warrant, leading to his detention.
The investigation concerns alleged financial offences linked to transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. His legal team has denied wrongdoing and maintained that the firm provided legitimate legal services.
