Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has demanded that the detention and prosecution of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah strictly follow the law, saying any decision to keep him in custody after he voluntarily reported to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) must have “a clear and demonstrable basis in law and necessity.”
The statement, issued on Saturday, October 3, 2026, through Parliament’s Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, comes as EOCO says it is working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring the MP before a weekend court to meet constitutional timeframes on bail.
Baffour Awuah voluntarily surrendered to EOCO at about 10am on Thursday, October 1, after the office obtained an arrest warrant from the Accra High Court. He has remained in EOCO custody since then.
The case has drawn sharp reactions from Parliament, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and government officials, with debate centred on whether his continued detention is justified.
Bagbin says Baffour Awuah’s detention needs a legal basis
In the statement, the Speaker stressed that once the MP presented himself to EOCO and submitted to its processes, continued custody had to be justified.
“Once the Member voluntarily presented himself to EOCO and submitted to its processes, any decision to continue holding him in custody ought to have a clear and demonstrable basis in law and necessity,” the statement said.
Parliament said MPs are not above the law, but cautioned against unnecessary interference with the independence of the legislature.
EOCO working to put Baffour Awuah before weekend court
EOCO said on Friday that it was “fervently working with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring the Suspect before a weekend court,” citing the constitutional timeframes and procedural requirements governing bail.
The office added that the MP “is cooperating with the Office to continue with the necessary investigative processes and procedures.”
According to MyJoyOnline, the likely venue is Specialised Court 2, sitting at Commercial Court 5 of the High Court Complex in Accra. As of the time of writing, the outcome of any court appearance had not been officially confirmed.
EOCO denies GH¢50 million bail reports
EOCO has dismissed media reports that it granted Baffour Awuah bail of GH¢50 million, urging the public to “disregard the reports.”
His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, also described the bail claims as untrue.
Allegations against the Manhyia South MP
The investigation centres on a GH¢2.2 million payment made to the MP’s former law firm for legal services in a matter involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. Our earlier report covered how Baffour Awuah was held overnight by EOCO and charged with money laundering.
The allegations under investigation include:
- Criminal conspiracy
- Causing financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans
- Money laundering
- Tax-related offences
Atta Akyea has argued that the transactions arose from legal work the law firm undertook for SIC Life Savings and Loans and rejected any suggestion of criminal conduct. The allegations have not been established by any court.
NPP and government officials clash over the 48-hour rule
Frank Davies, Chairman of the NPP’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, urged EOCO to grant the MP bail while investigations continue. “What at all is preventing EOCO from admitting him to bail and continuing with the process?” he asked on Channel One TV.
Davies argued that EOCO had already searched the MP’s offices and residence, that his voluntary surrender showed he was not a flight risk, and that the 48-hour constitutional limit had been exceeded.
National Petroleum Authority CEO Godwin Edudzi Tameklo disagreed, insisting EOCO had not broken any law. “The MP for Manhyia South will be put before the court this morning; I am confident that he will be granted bail,” he told 3News on Saturday morning.
Tameklo said Article 14 of the Constitution requires suspects to be brought before a court within 48 hours, and noted that the MP would probably not be in this situation had he honoured an earlier invitation in February.
What it means for Parliament and the Manhyia South constituency
The Speaker’s intervention signals growing institutional concern in Parliament over how sitting MPs are arrested and detained.
For constituents of Manhyia South, the MP’s detention means their representative remains unavailable while the case continues. Tameklo has suggested that MPs who want arrest procedures for lawmakers changed could do so through a Private Member’s Bill.
What happens next
EOCO and the Attorney-General’s Office are expected to put Baffour Awuah before a court, where a judge will decide on bail and the next steps in the case.
Further reaction from Parliament, the NPP and EOCO is expected once the court sits. Official updates can be followed on the Parliament of Ghana website.
Key details at a glance
- Who: Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, MP for Manhyia South
- Surrendered: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at about 10am, after an Accra High Court arrest warrant
- Payment under probe: GH¢2.2 million paid to his former law firm in an SIC Life matter
- Allegations: Conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences
- Speaker’s position: Continued custody must have a clear basis in law and necessity
- EOCO’s position: Working with the A-G to bring him before a weekend court
- Bail rumour: EOCO denies granting GH¢50 million bail
FAQs
Why is Baffour Awuah in EOCO custody?
EOCO is investigating a GH¢2.2 million payment to his former law firm in a matter involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, with allegations including conspiracy, money laundering and tax offences. He surrendered on October 1 after an arrest warrant was issued.
Has Baffour Awuah been granted bail?
EOCO has denied reports that it granted him GH¢50 million bail. It says it is working to bring him before a weekend court, where bail can be considered.
What did Speaker Bagbin say about Baffour Awuah?
Bagbin said any decision to keep the MP in custody after he voluntarily reported to EOCO must have a clear and demonstrable basis in law and necessity. He also stressed that MPs are not above the law.
The Speaker’s statement adds institutional weight to calls for Baffour Awuah’s release on bail, while EOCO and government officials maintain the process is lawful. All eyes are now on the weekend court, where a judge is expected to rule on the MP’s bail and the next stage of the case.
