Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticised the reported attempt by officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
Kpebu described the incident as a setback for Ghana’s democratic development. He said the situation raises concerns about whether state security agencies could be used to intimidate or silence outspoken lawmakers, especially those in opposition.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Kpebu said law enforcement agencies must follow proper parliamentary procedures when they want to question or arrest a sitting Member of Parliament.
“It’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression. My understanding so far is that you would write to the Speaker of Parliament. Then the Speaker would make arrangements to talk to the MP, then they will find a suitable time, etc. Then the MP avails himself,” he stated.
Kpebu also reminded the government that political power does not last forever and that parties can move from government to opposition.
“It’s to avoid a situation where a ruling government would try to use the police and other security agencies to clamp down on vociferous opposition MPs. This is our democracy; no party can stay in office forever. So the tables will always turn,” he said.
The lawyer further called on government officials to use state security institutions carefully, warning that actions taken against political opponents could have consequences when political power changes hands.
“So when officialdom is doing these things, they should be careful, very, very careful. It was just yesterday we drove out Akufo-Addo and the NPP because of such matters. NDC comes, and they are repeating the same? They should know how Ghanaians will react,” he added.
His comments come after reports that EOCO officials attempted to arrest the Manhyia South MP at the Accra High Court on Wednesday.
Sources close to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah told Citi News that the reported action was linked to claims that the MP had failed to respond to invitations from EOCO to assist with its investigations.
The sources also alleged that the attempted arrest may have been connected to the MP’s public defence of Salomey Baffoe, who has been accused of being an accomplice of the operator of the Ghana Jollof TikTok account.
EOCO has not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.
Videos from the court premises show a woman who identified herself as an EOCO officer asking Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to accompany her to the agency’s office.
The MP declined and was later seen driving away from the area. A vehicle believed to be linked to the officials was also seen following him.
