An Accra High Court has issued a warrant authorising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, in connection with an ongoing investigation.
The warrant follows an application by EOCO after the anti-corruption agency told the court that it had exhausted what it considered reasonable efforts to secure the legislator’s voluntary attendance.
EOCO also expressed concern that documents relevant to its investigation could potentially be concealed, altered or destroyed. The Office therefore sought judicial authority to arrest the MP and conduct a search and seizure operation for documents relevant to the case.
EOCO Investigation into SIC Life Savings and Loans
The investigation centres on alleged financial irregularities involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.
EOCO previously invited Nana Baffour Awuah in February 2026 in his capacity as Senior Partner of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, a law firm that had been engaged by SIC Life to assist with the recovery of funds.
EOCO has maintained that the MP was invited on two occasions in February but did not honour the invitations, prompting the agency to take further steps to secure his attendance.
Baffour Awuah Disputes EOCO’s Account
Nana Baffour Awuah has disputed aspects of EOCO’s account and has maintained that he was not personally the subject of the investigation.
According to his earlier statement, the February 10 invitation was addressed to the Senior Partner of his law firm in connection with the firm’s client, SIC Life Savings and Loans.
He said that after becoming a Member of Parliament, he referred the matter to the Clerk to Parliament for advice.
The MP further stated that a representative of his law firm subsequently engaged with EOCO on March 4, March 18 and April 30, 2026, and submitted a formal written statement to investigators on April 30.
EOCO, however, has maintained that the MP himself failed to honour its invitations and that the attempted arrest on September 23 was part of efforts to secure his attendance.
September 23 EOCO Arrest Attempt
The latest court warrant comes one week after EOCO officials attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026.
The incident occurred after the MP had appeared in court as a lawyer representing a client in the case popularly referred to as the Ghana Jollof case.
EOCO subsequently said the attempted arrest was connected to its ongoing investigation and followed the two invitations issued in February.
The arrest was not completed after the situation escalated and EOCO officers determined that continuing the operation could pose a risk to public safety.
Baffour Awuah, for his part, said the official who approached him did not initially provide identification, proof of authority or an arrest warrant when he requested them. He subsequently left the court premises and went to Parliament.
Ghana Bar Association Raises Concerns
The September 23 incident generated criticism over the manner in which the attempted arrest was carried out at the court premises.
The Ghana Bar Association raised concerns about the approach taken by EOCO, while Majority Leader James Agalga also argued that the agency should have communicated through the Speaker of Parliament regarding action involving a sitting MP.
These concerns followed the broader debate over the appropriate procedure for law enforcement agencies when seeking to secure the attendance of a serving Member of Parliament.
Financial Transaction Under Investigation
The financial transaction at the centre of the investigation involves funds that, according to Baffour Awuah, SIC Life Savings and Loans invested with the now-defunct Equity Savings and Loans.
He has stated that the investment was approximately GH¢3.5 million and that the liability increased to about GH¢14 million with interest after the institution defaulted.
His law firm was subsequently engaged to assist in recovering the funds.
Reports have also circulated about an alleged 15 percent legal fee arrangement and alleged payments connected to the then management of SIC Life. These matters remain allegations under investigation, and EOCO has not publicly detailed all of the specific allegations it is pursuing.
Court Warrant Escalates EOCO Investigation
The latest warrant provides EOCO with judicial authority to proceed with the arrest of the Manhyia South MP and the search and seizure of relevant documents as authorised by the court.
The development represents a further escalation of the dispute between the anti-corruption agency and Baffour Awuah, which has been ongoing since February 2026.
The investigation remains active, while the competing accounts of EOCO and the MP concerning the earlier invitations and subsequent arrest attempt remain part of the public debate.
The specific allegations under investigation have not been determined by a court, and the issuance of an arrest warrant does not by itself establish criminal liability.
Source: newsthemegh.com