Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Calls for Ghana MP’s Release — MyJoyOnline

In Ghana, parliamentary Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin demanded the immediate release of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is being held by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). As MyJoyOnline reports, the MP voluntarily appeared at EOCO on October 1 to assist with an investigation into operations connected to SIC Life Savings and Loans.

Detention after voluntary appearance

An arrest warrant had been issued before the MP’s arrival. After appearing at EOCO, he was detained and remained in custody while cooperating with investigators as part of the investigation. According to the MP’s lawyer, EOCO planned to continue questioning him on October 2.

Afenyo-Markin said that the parliamentary minority does not seek to prejudge the investigation into SIC Life Savings and Loans. He stressed that no one is above the law, including EOCO, while expressing concern over the treatment of the MP.

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Claims of political pressure

According to Afenyo-Markin, Baffour Awuah had previously submitted EOCO invitations through the Clerk to Parliament, but the agency did not acknowledge this correspondence. The Minority Leader also questioned why the MP, who arrived with a lawyer and other parliamentarians, had to wait several hours before questioning began.

Afenyo-Markin called this cause for concern regarding fairness and the use of investigative powers. He accused the authorities of using the state’s coercive instruments to intimidate the opposition. According to the report, the Ghanaian government and EOCO did not support these claims. The politician also called for an end to what he described as the use of arrests and criminal prosecutions to pressure opponents, and for more active investigations into drug traffickers and illegal mining networks.