Accra:Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for attempting to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, Dafeamekpor highlighted Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the process for serving legal documents on Members of Parliament. He emphasized that this constitutional protection applies when MPs are attending, traveling to, or returning from parliamentary sessions.
Dafeamekpor argued that law enforcement agencies, including EOCO, must first engage with the Speaker of Parliament before attempting to arrest an MP. He described EOCO's actions as "absolutely unacceptable" since the agency did not follow this established procedure.
The Majority Chief Whip stressed the importance of respecting Parliament's role as a co-equal branch of government, urging law enforcement agencies to conduct operations that honor its dignity and standing. He warned against actions that might breach established protocols and harm the relationship between Parliament and other state institutions.
Dafeamekpor expressed concern about the timing of the incident, noting that it coincided with a major conference hosted by the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra. He stated that procedural improprieties could damage Ghana's reputation both domestically and internationally.
While maintaining that the MP should not be shielded from investigation, Dafeamekpor insisted that any legal actions against Baffour-Awuah must adhere to the correct procedures outlined in Article 117.
Meanwhile, EOCO clarified that their attempt to arrest the MP stemmed from his failure to respond to two previous invitations from the agency.