Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office is seeking the arrest of Manhyia South lawmaker Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah as part of an investigation into alleged unauthorized financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings & Loans Company Ltd.
A High Court has issued a warrant for Mr. Baffour Awuah’s arrest, Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem-Sai said. Investigators are examining suspected offences including financial loss, the dissipation of public funds and money laundering, he said.
The warrant follows what the Economic and Organised Crime Office, known as EOCO, said were unsuccessful efforts to secure the lawmaker’s voluntary cooperation. EOCO said Mr. Baffour Awuah had failed to respond to invitations issued beginning in February.
The court also authorized investigators to search for and seize documents they consider relevant to the case, according to the Deputy Attorney-General. EOCO told the court that the orders were necessary after attempts to obtain Mr. Baffour Awuah’s attendance voluntarily failed.
The development follows an incident last week in which EOCO officials attempted to arrest Mr. Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court. The effort on Sept. 23 led to a confrontation at the court premises.
Mr. Baffour Awuah disputes EOCO’s account of his cooperation. He has said the February invitation was directed to him in his former role as senior partner at Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, a law firm that represented SIC Life Savings & Loans.
According to Mr. Baffour Awuah, a representative of the firm subsequently appeared before EOCO on March 4, March 18 and April 30 and supplied information sought by investigators, including a formal statement.
EOCO maintains that its investigation remains active and that the arrest warrant was sought because its attempts to secure Mr. Baffour Awuah’s attendance were unsuccessful.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific financial transactions at the center of the investigation or detailed the alleged losses. The allegations have not been established in court.
Source:TheDotNews