Accra High Court grants Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail in EOCO investigation

The Accra High Court has granted Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties following his arrest and interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The court, in granting the bail, held that the MP could not be considered a flight risk but directed him to make himself available to investigators as the probe continues. Nana Baffour Awuah is expected to reappear before the court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m.

The bail application followed extensive arguments between his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai.

Mr Atta Akyea urged the court to grant the MP self-recognisance bail, citing his status as a sitting Member of Parliament and a lawyer. He told the court that Nana Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, at about 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his lawyers.

According to the defence, the MP spent about eight hours at EOCO, where he was detained and later subjected to further questioning. EOCO also conducted searches at his residence and office under warrants obtained from the High Court.

Mr Atta Akyea argued that his client’s voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators demonstrated that he was not a flight risk.

“He voluntarily reported to EOCO and cooperated with investigators, which shows that he is not a person who intends to evade the process of the law,” the defence argued.

He also challenged allegations relating to a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. He explained that Nana Baffour Awuah’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans.

According to the defence, the recovery process led to prolonged litigation over the attachment of property believed to belong to the judgment debtor. A third party later laid claim to the property, resulting in further litigation before settlement negotiations were initiated.

Mr Atta Akyea told the court that the claimant eventually approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, leading to terms of settlement being filed before a competent court.

He rejected claims that the settlement amounted to the dissipation of GH¢9.85 million, maintaining that it arose from a commercial settlement and the payment of legal fees.

The defence further cited previous criminal cases involving Members of Parliament, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda, in urging the court to grant self-recognisance bail.

The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, however, urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the MP remains available to investigators and the court.

He disputed the defence’s claim that Nana Baffour Awuah had consistently made himself available to investigative authorities, stating that EOCO first invited him in February 2026 and made further attempts to secure his attendance.

Dr Srem-Sai also referred to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23 and the subsequent issuance of an arrest warrant by the High Court on September 30.

“Those circumstances should be taken into account when determining the conditions under which bail should be granted,” he argued.

After hearing both sides, the High Court granted Nana Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties and further directed him to make himself available for investigations and to return on October 26 and November 2 at 10 a.m.