Manhyia South MP, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has recounted an alleged attempt by a woman who identified herself as an officer of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest him after proceedings at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23.
Addressing the press in Parliament, the MP, who is also counsel for detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti, said the incident occurred shortly after he represented his client in court on Wednesday.
According to him, following the proceedings, which were adjourned to Thursday, September 24, a woman approached him and asked him to accompany her to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
“She approached me and then she touched my hand and said I should join her because I was needed at EOCO. And I said, where from this? If you want me at EOCO, why don’t you invite me?” he recounted.
According to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the woman claimed he had previously been invited to appear before EOCO but had failed to honour the invitation, an assertion he denied.
He said he offered to follow her to EOCO in his own vehicle, but the woman allegedly insisted that he accompany her in another vehicle by force.
“Then she said no. She would forcibly take me into their vehicle and drive me to EOCO,” he said.
The MP said he subsequently asked the woman to identify herself as an EOCO officer and produce an arrest warrant, but she allegedly failed to provide either.
“At that point I inquired from her, what even shows you are from EOCO? At that point she couldn’t produce any evidence that she was indeed from EOCO. I also wanted to know the arrest warrant, whether she had an arrest. She also couldn’t produce anything,” he said.
Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said he subsequently drove away from the scene after becoming concerned for his safety.
“It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that have been going on, which is sponsored by the state,” he alleged.
He said his decision to leave was also influenced by his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament, a member of the Minority Caucus, and legal counsel for Ms Baffoe.
“I needed to defend and protect myself for the benefit of the good people of Manhyia South, who I serve, the Minority Caucus, my children, and my whole family,” he said.
The MP said he subsequently drove to Parliament, where he was scheduled to undertake committee duties, and was met by colleagues who had gathered to express their solidarity.
“I’ve come to Parliament, and then my colleagues are behind me, and I thank them very much,” he said.
His account follows a confrontation at the Accra High Court involving lawyers for Ms Baffoe and security personnel believed to be EOCO officer.