Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described the alleged attempt by security personnel to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court as a “retrogression” in Ghana’s democratic development.
His comments follow a confrontation at the court on Wednesday, September 23, involving the MP and security personnel believed to be officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
A video circulating online shows a woman believed to be a security officer standing by the entrance of a vehicle as Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah attempts to get in.
The two are seen exchanging words before a scuffle breaks out. A man believed to be part of the MP’s legal team then opens the car door, pushes the woman aside and allows the MP to drive away.
Another vehicle, believed to belong to the security personnel, is subsequently seen following the MP’s car.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation were initially unclear, including whether the security personnel were EOCO officers and whether they were attempting to arrest the MP.
However, EOCO has since confirmed that its officers attempted to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah as part of an ongoing investigation. The Office said the arrest was not completed after the situation escalated and officers determined that proceeding could have endangered public safety.
Reacting to the incident, Mr Kpebu said the manner in which the alleged arrest was pursued represented a setback to democratic practice.
“From what I’m seeing, it’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression,” he said.
Mr Kpebu argued that where law enforcement authorities require the presence of a sitting MP, the appropriate parliamentary procedures should be followed rather than having security officers attempt to arrest the legislator directly.
“As far as I’m aware, by the Parliament Act 300 and then the constitutional architecture, when you need a parliamentarian, whether he’s on suspicion of having committed an offence, my understanding so far is that you would write to the Speaker of Parliament,” he explained.
According to him, the Speaker would then engage the MP and make arrangements for the legislator to present himself at a suitable time.
Mr Kpebu recalled that during Prof Mike Oquaye’s tenure as Speaker, arrangements were sometimes made for police officers to meet MPs within Parliament rather than removing them from the premises.
He said such procedures were important to prevent the potential misuse of state security institutions against opposition MPs.
Mr Kpebu also urged political parties in government to be mindful of how state institutions are used against members of the opposition, noting that political power can change hands.
“Look, listen, this is our democracy. No party can stay in office forever, so the tables should always turn,” he said.
The comments come as lawyers for Salomey Baffoe Awiti continue efforts to secure her release after she was remanded for two weeks in connection with a case involving the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account.
The High Court adjourned her bail application hearing to Thursday, September 24, after the prosecution requested additional time to respond to the defence’s application.
