Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has voiced his disappointment over the continued detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The MP is set to spend another night in custody after a five‑hour interrogation that ended with EOCO promising to seek bail approval.
Mr Akyea questioned the need for a judge to consider bail, noting that the arrest warrant obtained by EOCO was not a bench warrant and that the MP had voluntarily surrendered to the agency. He argued that a sitting Member of Parliament should not be kept in custody and highlighted the impact on constituents awaiting him for the New Patriotic Party’s national delegates conference in Kumasi.
EOCO said it was working with the Office of the Attorney‑General to bring the MP before a weekend court, citing constitutional timeframes and procedural requirements. The agency denied reports of a GH¢50 million bail and clarified that the MP had voluntarily surrendered after an arrest warrant was issued by the Accra High Court.
The investigation involves alleged financial transactions with SIC Life Savings and Loans, including charges of criminal conspiracy, money laundering and tax offences. Mr Baffour Awuah, a senior partner at Sarkodie, Baffour Awuah and Partners, has been cooperating with investigators.
Mr Akyea plans to challenge the continued detention in court, calling it an aberration and an affront to justice. The outcome will be watched closely by the political community and the MP’s constituents.
