NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande has confirmed that he instructed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
Mustapha Gbande said his directive was based on concerns about the conduct of the lawmaker and was unrelated to Baffour Awuah’s representation of senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti-Baffoe, as has been suggested.
Speaking during an interview, he said he had personally engaged the EOCO leadership and urged the agency to arrest the MP, insisting that individuals invited by law enforcement agencies should cooperate with investigations.
According to him, Baffour Awuah should have honoured EOCO’s invitation, made a statement and allowed the process to continue instead of addressing the matter at a press conference.
The controversy dates back to September 23, when EOCO officials attempted to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court.
The agency said the action followed two earlier invitations issued to him in February, which it claimed he had failed to honour.
The matter escalated after the High Court subsequently issued a warrant authorising EOCO to arrest Baffour Awuah and search for documents relevant to its investigation.
The MP later reported himself to EOCO on October 1, accompanied by his lawyers and some MPs. He was subsequently charged with three offences and granted GH¢10 million bail after pleading not guilty.
