Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office said Wednesday that it had twice invited Manhyia South lawmaker Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah for questioning in February but that he did not respond, prompting the agency to take steps to compel his attendance.

The disclosure came after EOCO officers attempted to arrest Mr. Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on Wednesday. The effort was abandoned after the situation escalated and officers determined that continuing could pose a risk to public safety, the agency said.

In a statement, EOCO said the February invitations were issued as part of an ongoing investigation and were intended to secure the lawmaker’s assistance. “The invitations were not honoured,” the agency said.

EOCO said the attempted arrest was a lawful measure taken after the earlier invitations went unanswered. The agency did not disclose the specific allegations or subject matter of the investigation.

The confrontation later shifted to Parliament after Mr. Baffour Awuah left the scene and proceeded to the parliamentary precincts. EOCO said it recognises the constitutional privileges and immunities afforded to members of Parliament, but maintained that parliamentary membership does not, by itself, terminate an investigation or place an individual beyond the reach of the law.

The agency also said it had identified two people who allegedly intervened to facilitate the lawmaker’s departure. Their conduct is being assessed for possible further action, EOCO said.
EOCO said the investigation remains active. It will review the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s incident, including available video footage, before deciding on its next step

Source:TheDotNews