The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned the way the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) tried to arrest the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court.
The incident happened on September 23, 2026, while the MP was at the court working as a lawyer and representing a client. The GBA said it was concerned about the way the arrest attempt was carried out.
The Association also raised concerns about videos from the incident. In the videos, another lawyer, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, is seen complaining that he was assaulted by a woman who EOCO later confirmed was one of its officers.
The GBA said that while nobody is above the law, investigations and arrests involving lawyers must be carried out properly and in line with the Constitution and the law.
It also stressed the need to respect the independence of lawyers and their professional duties.
According to the Association, ignoring these protections could create the impression that lawyers are being intimidated. It warned that this could also make lawyers afraid to carry out their duties freely.
The GBA pointed out that lawyers play an important role in the justice system. They help protect people’s rights and make sure that those who come before the courts are properly represented.
Any action that prevents lawyers from doing their work, it said, could weaken public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.
The Association has therefore called on EOCO and other state institutions to make sure that all enforcement actions are carried out fairly, lawfully, and with respect for the rights of everyone involved.
The GBA also stressed that an independent legal profession is an important part of any democratic society and must be protected.
It added that the rule of law is not only about justice being done, but also about making sure that people can clearly see that justice has been done.
