The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has detained Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, amid investigations into alleged financial misconduct linked to SIC Savings and Loans. The arrest followed several months of efforts to secure his attendance and came after EOCO officials searched his office and seized items, including CCTV footage, unrelated to their inquiry.
Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, the MP’s lawyer, disclosed the detention during an interview on Ghana Tonight on October 1. Atta Akyea said, “They have detained him and I don’t know why.” He described his client as a law-abiding citizen and expressed frustration that EOCO did not summon him for questioning instead. “He is not a flight risk. They could have asked me to bring him tomorrow. But no… This is pure show of power,” he added.
EOCO’s press statement on the same day confirmed that Mr Baffour Awuah reported to their head office in Accra at about 10:00 a.m. The agency said his appearance followed months of trying to secure his cooperation in investigations concerning alleged criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Savings and Loans, money laundering, tax-related offences, and other related matters.
The statement stressed that EOCO would continue to pursue all relevant lines of inquiry while respecting the constitutional rights of those involved. “The public is therefore urged to allow the investigative and judicial processes to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions regarding the culpability of any individual,” EOCO wrote.
Atta Akyea criticised the charges against his client, questioning their validity. He said items seized from the MP’s office included materials unrelated to EOCO’s investigations. “Charges preferred against the Manhyia South MP don’t make sense. They may as well charge SIC Life,” the lawyer said.
EOCO said Mr Baffour Awuah is currently cooperating with investigators as the process continues. The agency also assured the public that its investigations will progress “professionally, independently and in accordance with due process.”
The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of SIC Savings and Loans, which has faced allegations of financial irregularities. The involvement of a sitting MP in such investigations is unusual and has drawn attention across political and legal circles.
Mr Baffour Awuah’s detention comes amid heightened sensitivity over financial governance in Ghana’s savings and loans sector. EOCO’s firm approach to securing cooperation from high-profile individuals indicates an intensification of efforts to address alleged financial crimes.
The lawyer’s comments suggest tension between EOCO and the MP’s camp, with accusations of overreach and procedural concerns. The seizure of CCTV footage and unrelated items from the MP’s office raises questions about the scope and methods of EOCO’s investigation.
As the inquiry proceeds, the exact nature of the allegations against Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah remains under legal scrutiny. The case will test the balance between enforcing anti-corruption laws and protecting the rights of elected officials under Ghanaian law.
According to 3News.
