Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has raised concerns over the overnight detention of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
Mr Annoh-Dompreh described the detention as an excessive use of state power and questioned the decision to hold the MP overnight after he voluntarily reported to EOCO in connection with an ongoing investigation into transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
The Minority Chief Whip made the comments after visiting the EOCO premises on Thursday, October 1, 2026, to check on his colleague.
He said he was alarmed by the development, particularly because Mr Baffour Awuah, a lawyer and sitting MP, had presented himself to the investigative agency following an Accra High Court warrant authorising his arrest.
“We never expected this to happen. A lawyer who is working his line of duty, and also a Member of Parliament, has submitted himself to EOCO. And this is the first time in the history of this country that a Member of Parliament will be detained overnight over a matter that has not been proven,” he said.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh accused the government of repeatedly targeting members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including lawyers and MPs, through investigations and arrests.
He said the situation had become a concern for the Minority and warned that the continued use of state institutions in such circumstances could affect Ghana’s democratic development.
“For the past six months, it’s been continuous and repeated hunting and coming after our party rank and file, and to some extent, lawyers in our party, members of Parliament. This is just too much,” he stated.
According to him, the development was inconsistent with the democratic principles the government had pledged to uphold.
“You’re taking this country backwards in terms of the building of our democracy as a country,” he said.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP also rejected reports suggesting that investigators had discovered incriminating material at Mr Baffour Awuah’s office during the search.
“If anybody’s putting out the narrative that something incriminating was found at his office, it’s never the case. It’s not true,” he said.
Mr Annoh-Dompreh said the Minority would continue to respect due process while maintaining its concerns over what he described as the use of state institutions against political opponents.
He added a warning that political power could change hands in the future.
“We are taking it in good stride. But you should remember there is always tomorrow. Power changes hands,” he said.
Mr Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, following a High Court warrant authorising his arrest and the search of his office as part of investigations into transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, has said questioning is expected to continue on Friday, October 2.
