Afenyo-Markin demands immediate release of Baffour Awuah

Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to immediately release Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is in the agency’s custody in connection with an ongoing investigation into transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, accompanied by his lawyers and some Members of Parliament, after the agency secured a warrant for his arrest.

The warrant was issued following concerns over his failure to respond to invitations from EOCO to assist with its investigations.

Afenyo-Markin, in a Facebook post, questioned the circumstances surrounding the MP’s detention and criticised what he described as the use of EOCO’s investigative powers to intimidate an opposition figure.

“We do not by this seek to prejudge the SIC Life Savings & Loans investigation. No one is above the law, EOCO included. But we believe the MP’s treatment forms part of a broader attempt to intimidate critical opposition voices,” he said.

The Minority Leader stressed that his intervention was not intended to obstruct the investigation, insisting that Baffour Awuah, like any other person, should be subject to due process.

Baffour Awuah had earlier said he had engaged EOCO through the appropriate Parliamentary channels and referred the agency’s invitations to the Clerk of Parliament.

However, EOCO proceeded to obtain an arrest warrant after the agency maintained its efforts to secure his attendance.

Afenyo-Markin questioned whether all available parliamentary and legal channels had been exhausted before the warrant was issued.

He also called for an end to what he described as the misuse of arrest and prosecution to intimidate political opponents or suppress free expression.