South Dayi MP and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over its attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court.
In a statement posted on his social media on Wednesday, September 23, Mr Dafeamekpor said law enforcement agencies must follow the constitutional procedures applicable to Members of Parliament when seeking to arrest or serve processes on them.
He referred to Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides protections regarding the service of civil or criminal processes on the Speaker, Members of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament while they are on their way to, attending or returning from parliamentary proceedings.
Mr Dafeamekpor argued that the established procedure requires matters involving the arrest of a sitting MP to be channelled through the Speaker of Parliament.
He described the reported attempt to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah within the precincts of the court as “absolutely unacceptable” and cautioned EOCO and other law enforcement agencies against actions that could undermine the authority and dignity of Parliament.
He said Parliament and state institutions, including EOCO, must maintain the cordial relationship that exists between the various arms and institutions of the state while ensuring that the law is followed.
“Where a law provides a procedure for a right to be exercised, it’s only that procedure that must be followed,” Mr Dafeamekpor stated, citing the case of Boyefio v NTHC.
He further warned that parliamentary leaders would resist any attempt to breach what he described as established protocols governing the treatment of MPs.
His comments followed a confrontation at the Accra High Court on Wednesday involving Mr Baffour Awuah and a woman who identified herself as an EOCO official.
The Manhyia South MP, who is also representing social commentator Salomey Baffoe in court, said the woman asked him to accompany her to the EOCO office but failed to provide identification or an arrest warrant when requested. He subsequently drove away from the court premises.
EOCO, however, has said the attempted arrest was part of lawful steps taken in connection with an ongoing investigation. The Office said Mr Baffour Awuah had been invited twice in February 2026 to assist with the investigation but did not honour the invitations.
Mr Dafeamekpor also expressed concern about the timing of the incident, noting that Parliament was hosting an ECOWAS Parliament conference in Accra.
He said what he described as procedural improprieties could affect Ghana’s image both locally and internationally.
“If the Hon. Baffour-Awuah is alleged to have committed any offence, for which EOCO requires his presence, by all means, let the law speak but let the law follow lawful procedure in Article 117 in doing so,” he stated.
See the post below:
HON. BAFFOUR & THE ATTEMPTED ARREST BY EOCO WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF COURT
— Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Esq. MP. (@etsedafeamekpor) September 23, 2026
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1. Article 117 provides a terse procedure as to how The Speaker, MPs and the Clerk to Parliament shall be served with any Civil or Criminal processes.
2. This Constitutional protection…
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