Parliament Expresses Concern Over Continued Detention Of Manhyia South MP, Calls For Due Process

Parliament has expressed grave concern over the continued detention of the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), after he voluntarily presented himself to the investigative body.

This follows reports that the High Court had issued a warrant for his arrest.

In a statement dated October 3, 2026, and signed by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said the circumstances surrounding the MP's detention raise serious concerns for Parliament, bordering on the rights of the Member, the privileges and independence of Parliament, and the proper exercise of investigative powers.

*Parliament's Position*

Parliament affirmed that Members of Parliament are not above the law and where a member is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence, the law must take its course.

It however noted that MPs do not act merely in their personal capacities, and the law therefore recognizes certain safeguards governing interactions between Members and other organs of state, which are intended not to shield them from accountability but to protect the independence of Parliament and the mandate of the people they represent.

According to the statement, the Speaker has been informed that the High Court directed EOCO to enforce the warrant against the Member, but has not yet seen the terms of that directive and therefore does not purport to interpret it.

It stressed that once the Member voluntarily presented himself and submitted to EOCO's processes, any decision to continue holding him in custody ought to have a clear and demonstrable basis in law and necessity.

*Concern Over Overnight Detention*

Parliament said it is particularly concerned about the necessity and proportionality of detaining a Member who voluntarily reported and cooperated with the process.

“The power to arrest or detain is a serious coercive power of the State. It must always be exercised lawfully, reasonably and with due regard to the constitutional rights and dignity of every person,” the statement said, adding that where voluntary appearance has been achieved, continued detention should not become routine or punitive.

Parliament said if the warrant required the MP 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.