The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has insisted that the parliamentary status of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah does not prevent it from investigating or taking lawful action against him.
The position follows Wednesday’s attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court in connection with an ongoing investigation.
EOCO said the MP subsequently proceeded to Parliament, where he sought sanctuary, but stressed that parliamentary membership does not place him beyond the reach of the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Membership of Parliament does not, by itself, bring an investigation to an end or place an individual beyond the reach of the law,” EOCO stated.
The agency, however, said it would respect constitutional protections afforded to Parliament.
“At the same time, EOCO will not take any step that is inconsistent with parliamentary privilege or any other protection provided by the Constitution.”
EOCO said the attempted arrest was not completed after the situation escalated at the court.
“During today’s attempted arrest, the situation escalated and the arrest was not successfully completed as officers assessed that a counter action would have endangered public safety,” it said.
The agency also alleged that two individuals intervened to facilitate the MP’s escape and said their conduct was being assessed.
EOCO did not indicate whether the MP’s public comments on Baffoe’s case were connected to the attempted arrest, saying only that it was related to an ongoing investigation.
The agency said it would review video evidence and the circumstances surrounding the incident before determining its next steps.
