Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, is calling for the immediate release of Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The call comes after Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, following the issuance of a warrant for his arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation into transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
The MP, who is also a lawyer, appeared before the anti-graft agency accompanied by his legal representatives and some Members of Parliament. His appearance followed an earlier legal process through which EOCO secured an arrest warrant after raising concerns that he had failed to respond to invitations to assist with its investigations.
In a Facebook post, Afenyo-Markin questioned the circumstances surrounding the MP’s detention and raised concerns about how EOCO was exercising its investigative powers. The Minority Leader stressed that his intervention was not intended to interfere with the investigation into SIC Life Savings and Loans. However, he argued that the manner in which Baffour Awuah was being treated could amount to intimidation of an opposition figure.
“We do not by this seek to prejudge the SIC Life Savings & Loans investigation. No one is above the law, EOCO included. But we believe the MP’s treatment forms part of a broader attempt to intimidate critical opposition voices,” he said.
Baffour Awuah had earlier maintained that he had engaged with EOCO through the appropriate Parliamentary channels and had forwarded the agency’s invitations to the Clerk of Parliament. Despite this, EOCO proceeded with the legal process that ultimately led to the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Afenyo-Markin questioned whether all available avenues for securing the MP’s attendance had been exhausted before the warrant was obtained. He also called for an end to what he described as the misuse of arrest and prosecution as tools to intimidate political opponents or suppress free expression.
