Lawyer says Ghanaian MP charged with money laundering — MyJoyOnline

In Ghana, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has formally charged the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, his lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea said. According to the defence lawyer, the charges include money laundering and causing financial loss to the state. MyJoyOnline reports.

Defence position

Atta Akyea rejected the investigators' claims. He said his client had performed legitimate legal work for SIC Life Savings and Loans.

According to the lawyer, the MP's law firm acted on SIC Life's instructions to recover an investment from Equity Savings and Loans. He maintains that the case was heard by a court, which delivered a ruling, after which legal steps were taken to recover the funds, including in relation to Equity Savings and Loans' property.

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The defence lawyer also said that court documents confirm the firm's work on the client's instructions. He disputed the reported valuation of the investment at 14 million Ghanaian cedis, noting that the judgment document states about GH¢10 million, including the investment and interest.

EOCO investigation

Atta Akyea questioned whether the investigation falls within EOCO's jurisdiction. The agency had previously said it was examining alleged unauthorized financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. According to EOCO, they may have been linked to financial losses, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

These claims and charges have not been established by a court. Baffour Awuah appeared before EOCO after the High Court in Accra issued a warrant authorizing his arrest, as well as the search and seizure of documents related to the investigation. According to EOCO, the MP was detained and is cooperating with investigators.