Legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has described the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) official at the Accra High Court as a potentially dangerous situation.
According to him, the decision by an EOCO official in plain clothes to jump in front of the MP’s vehicle could easily have resulted in a more serious incident.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Anyenini said the circumstances of the encounter created unnecessary risks, particularly because the officer was not in uniform and had not immediately established his identity.
“It was very dangerous and a lot of things could have gone bad.”
He said the MP had indicated that he was prepared to follow the officers to the EOCO office in their vehicle, questioning why the matter could not have been handled without the confrontation.
Mr Anyenini noted that the EOCO office was only about five minutes from the court, arguing that there was little justification for an encounter that could potentially put lives at risk.
He stressed that when law enforcement officers in plain clothes seek to arrest someone, they should first identify themselves and explain the basis of the action.
“When you are going to effect an arrest and you are not in an official uniform, it is very basic to identify yourself or for some to ask who you are or your form of identification. This shouldn’t lead to a fight or disagreement,” he explained.
He expressed concern about what he described as situations where law enforcement officers become angered when people seek clarification about their identity or authority.
“There are certain things that anger law enforcement officers in this country, and I don’t understand. It is not good,” he said.
Mr Anyenini maintained that members of the public have a right to ask plain-clothes officers where they are from, where they are being taken, and why they are not in uniform.
“There is nowhere in this world where a police officer not in an official uniform and properly designated will not identify themselves or follow due process.”
He advised anyone confronted by unidentified persons claiming to be law enforcement officers to seek legal assistance or notify someone they trust before accompanying them.
He added that where a person remains uncertain about the identity of the officers, the safer option would be to request to be taken to the nearest police station.
“When people in plain clothes come to arrest you, you have the right to ask questions about where they are from, where they are taking you to, and why they are not in uniform.”
“You must get a lawyer or inform people you know are aware before leaving with them.”
“If you don’t have anyone and are not certain in your mind, ask to be taken to the nearest police station.”
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