Lawyer for Manhyia South Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Atta Akyea, says his client remains in the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as investigations into alleged financial offences involving SIC Life Savings and Loans continue.
Mr Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported himself to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, following an Accra High Court warrant authorising his arrest and the search and seizure of documents relevant to the investigation.
He was subsequently arrested and remains in EOCO custody while investigators continue questioning him.
EOCO has indicated that the MP is cooperating with investigators, with further interrogation expected to continue on Friday, October 2.
Mr Atta Akyea questioned the decision to keep his client in custody overnight, arguing that Mr Baffour Awuah had voluntarily reported himself and was cooperating with investigators.
According to the lawyer, his client had spent about seven hours at EOCO and there was no justification, in his view, for keeping him overnight.
He said he intended to seek his client’s release, with the MP prepared to return to EOCO the following morning if investigators required further questioning.
Mr Atta Akyea also said Members of Parliament could provide an undertaking to ensure that Mr Baffour Awuah returned for further questioning.
He, however, acknowledged that EOCO had formally placed the MP under arrest and that his lawyers did not have the legal authority to remove him from the agency’s custody.
Mr Atta Akyea rejected the allegations being investigated by EOCO, insisting that the transactions involving SIC Life arose from legitimate legal work undertaken by his client.
EOCO is investigating alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, with suspected offences including causing financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering.
The lawyer said SIC Life had engaged his client’s law firm to assist in recovering an investment from Equity Savings and Loans.
He said the matter went through the courts, resulting in a judgment and subsequent legal steps to recover the investment.
Mr Atta Akyea maintained that the transaction was legitimate because a judgment had been obtained and an entry of judgment filed.
He also disputed reports that the investment involved about GH¢14 million, saying the entry of judgment reflected approximately GH¢10 million, representing the investment and interest.
The lawyer further questioned whether the matter fell within EOCO’s mandate.
Mr Atta Akyea said investigators had already obtained the documents they were seeking during the search.
He explained that a particular file relating to Mr Baffour Awuah’s legal work for SIC Life was not found at his residence because, according to him, it had already been surrendered to SIC Life, which he identified as the complainant.
He said the file was instead found at the MP’s office and that his client had informed investigators that it had already been surrendered to SIC Life.
Mr Atta Akyea also claimed that Mr Baffour Awuah had not eaten or taken water while in custody.
He said the MP was distressed by the circumstances but stopped short of describing his refusal to eat or drink as a hunger strike.
