Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah said Wednesday he drove away from the Accra High Court after a woman claiming to be an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) official sought to take him into custody, saying he feared for his safety.
Awuah, who is representing detained nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti, said the woman did not provide identification or evidence of her authority to arrest him when he asked.
He said he offered to drive himself to EOCO’s offices but the woman insisted that he use the vehicle provided by the officials.
Awuah said his concerns increased when he asked to see an arrest warrant but was unable to obtain one.
“It became obvious to me that it was one of the recent kidnappings that have been going on, which is sponsored by the state,” he told journalists outside Parliament.
Awuah said he subsequently decided to drive away from the scene to protect himself.
“And that is why I had to run. I had to drive to safety. I’ve come to Parliament and then my colleagues are behind me and I thank them very much,” he said.
His account could not immediately be independently verified, and EOCO had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding the reported encounter as of Wednesday.
The incident occurred shortly after Awuah appeared at the High Court for Baffoe’s bail hearing. The court adjourned the application to Sept 24 after prosecutors requested additional time to respond to the defence’s application.
Baffoe is facing a charge of abetment of crime, to wit, publication of false news, in connection with content allegedly circulated through the “Ghana Jollof” TikTok account. She has pleaded not guilty and her lawyers have rejected the allegations.
Awuah’s side has alleged that the reported attempt to take him into custody was intended to intimidate him because of his public defence of Baffoe.
The circumstances surrounding the reported incident, including whether Awuah had been formally invited by EOCO and the legal basis for any intended arrest, remained unclear on Wednesday.
