Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah will spend the night of Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), after he surrendered to the agency at about 10:00 a.m. and was formally placed under arrest. His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, says the MP has been charged with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
The arrest is tied to an EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions at SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. EOCO says the probe covers criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, tax-related offences and other matters.
Baffour Awuah reported to EOCO’s head office in Accra with his lawyer less than 24 hours after an Accra High Court issued a warrant for his arrest on September 30. GhanaTrends earlier reported on the High Court warrant authorising EOCO to arrest the MP and seize documents.
Questioning is expected to resume on Friday, October 2.
Baffour Awuah arrested after surrendering to EOCO
In a statement dated October 1, EOCO confirmed that the MP, who is also Senior Partner of Sarkodie, Baffour Awuah and Partners, surrendered voluntarily and was then arrested to assist with investigations.
The agency said he is cooperating with investigators and urged the public to “allow the investigative and judicial processes to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions regarding the culpability of any individual.”
EOCO added that it “will continue to pursue all relevant lines of inquiry, examine the available evidence and afford all persons involved their rights under the Constitution.”
EOCO searches MP’s law firm and home
During the day, EOCO officers escorted Baffour Awuah to his former law firm and his residence for inspections and evidence-gathering, under the court order that allows the agency to search for and seize relevant documents.
EOCO had told the court it had “exhausted reasonable means” of securing the MP’s voluntary attendance and feared documents could be “concealed, altered or destroyed.”
Separately, three people, including a woman, were arrested after allegedly flying drones over the EOCO headquarters without authorisation while the MP was inside. EOCO officials pursued and arrested them.
Atta Akyea challenges overnight detention
Atta Akyea questioned the decision to keep his client overnight. “What is the value in detaining him overnight?” he asked, stressing that the MP “came here voluntarily” and was cooperating.
He proposed that some MPs sign an undertaking to bring Baffour Awuah back the next day. He also said investigators already had the relevant SIC Life file, which he said had been surrendered to the complainant.
The lawyer also raised concerns about searching a law firm, warning that offices hold confidential information on other clients unrelated to the case.
What the SIC Savings and Loans case is about
According to Atta Akyea, SIC Life engaged Baffour Awuah’s law firm to recover an investment from Equity Savings and Loans. He described the work as a legitimate legal service with “a paper trail to that effect”, including court judgments and the attachment of property.
He disputed a reported GH¢14 million figure, saying the court judgment showed roughly GH¢10 million. He also questioned how a settlement signed by SIC Life could become a criminal matter: “If you think that the bargains were bad, and you could have done a better bargain, how does that translate into criminality?”
Timeline of the Baffour Awuah EOCO investigation
- February 2026: EOCO says it invited the MP twice; he says the invitations concerned his law firm.
- March 4, March 18 and April 30, 2026: Representatives of the law firm appeared before EOCO.
- September 23, 2026: An attempted arrest at the Accra High Court ended in a confrontation.
- September 30, 2026: Accra High Court issues arrest and search warrant.
- October 1, 2026 (about 10:00 a.m.): MP surrenders to EOCO and is arrested; held overnight.
- October 2, 2026: Questioning set to resume.
What it means for Manhyia South and Parliament
The arrest of a sitting MP by EOCO is rare and has drawn wide public attention, from the court warrant to his lawyer’s proposal that fellow MPs sign for his release.
For constituents of Manhyia South, their MP remains in office. No court has made any finding of guilt, and EOCO itself has cautioned against premature conclusions.
What happens next
EOCO is expected to continue questioning Baffour Awuah on Friday. The agency has said it will release further information “when appropriate and legally permissible.”
Key questions still to be answered include whether he will be granted bail, when he could be arraigned in court, and whether his lawyers will challenge the search of the law firm.
Key details at a glance
- Who: Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, MP for Manhyia South
- What: Surrendered to EOCO and arrested; held overnight
- When: Thursday, October 1, 2026, about 10:00 a.m.
- Case: Alleged unauthorised transactions at SIC Life Savings and Loans
- Alleged offences: Conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering, tax-related offences
- Lawyer: Samuel Atta Akyea, who says the MP has been charged
- Next: Questioning resumes Friday, October 2
FAQs
Why was Baffour Awuah arrested by EOCO?
EOCO is investigating alleged unauthorised financial transactions at SIC Life Savings and Loans, covering conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences.
Is Baffour Awuah still in EOCO custody?
Yes. His lawyer said he would spend the night of October 1 in EOCO custody, with questioning resuming on October 2.
What is Baffour Awuah charged with?
According to his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, he has been charged with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state. EOCO has not publicly listed formal charges.
Baffour Awuah’s arrest marks a major turn in a case that has run since February. The MP has gone from disputing EOCO’s invitations to surrendering and spending a night in custody. Friday’s questioning, and any decision on bail or prosecution, will shape what comes next. Updates will come from the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
