By Ashiadey Dotse
Parliament has raised concerns over the continued detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), saying the circumstances raise questions about his rights and parliamentary privileges.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Parliament said the MP voluntarily reported to EOCO after reports emerged that the High Court had issued a warrant for his arrest.
It said it was concerned about the need and proportionality of keeping the legislator in custody after he had presented himself to the anti-graft agency and, according to Parliament, cooperated with the investigation.
Parliament stressed that although Members of Parliament were not above the law, constitutional safeguards governed interactions between sitting MPs and state institutions.
“These safeguards are intended not to shield Members from accountability, but to protect the independence of Parliament and the mandate of the people they represent,” the statement said.
The statement said the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, had been informed that the High Court had directed EOCO to enforce the warrant against the MP.
However, it said the Speaker had not seen the terms of the court’s directive and was therefore unable to interpret it.
Parliament said the power to arrest and detain was a serious coercive power of the state and must be exercised lawfully, reasonably and with due regard to the constitutional rights and dignity of individuals.
It further argued that where a person’s attendance had already been secured through voluntary appearance, continued detention should not become routine or punitive.
“If a warrant or court order requires the Member to be brought before the High Court, every reasonable effort should have been made to place him before the Court at the earliest lawful opportunity,” Parliament said.
Parliament to review procedures
The development has also prompted Parliament to announce a review of procedures governing the arrest, detention and prosecution of sitting MPs.
According to Parliament, similar concerns have arisen in previous cases involving lawmakers since the Second Parliament of the Fourth Republic.
It said those experiences demonstrated the need for greater clarity on how investigative and prosecutorial authorities should deal with sitting Members of Parliament.
Parliament said it would examine the existing constitutional and statutory framework and, where necessary, consider appropriate legislation to ensure that accountability, due process and the rule of law could coexist with the independence and effective functioning of Parliament.
Call for restraint
Parliament also called on state institutions and public officials to exercise restraint when using coercive powers.
It said political differences should not be used to justify excesses, adding that similar conduct under a previous administration should not be used to defend questionable conduct under the current administration.
Parliament therefore called for all matters concerning Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to be handled strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the law and applicable court orders.
It also urged that the MP’s rights be respected and that there be no unnecessary interference with the constitutional work of Parliament.
