Attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP in that manner a retrogression in Ghana’s democracy – Martin Kpebu

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has described the alleged attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by security personnel believed to be from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) at the premises of the Accra High Court as a “retrogression” in Ghana’s democratic development. His comments follow a tense confrontation at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23, involving lawyers for detained Techiman-based nurse Salomey Baffoe Awiti and security personnel believed to be EOCO officers. In a video circulating online, a woman believed to be a security officer is seen standing at the entrance of a car as Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah attempts to get in. The two exchange words before a scuffle breaks out. A heavily built man believed to be part of the lawyer’s team then opens the car door, pushes the woman aside and allows the MP to drive off.

Another vehicle, believed to belong to the security personnel, is subsequently seen following the MP’s car. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain unclear, including whether the security personnel were EOCO operatives and whether they were attempting to arrest the MP. But reacting to the incident, Martin Kpebu said the manner in which the alleged arrest was being pursued represented a setback to democratic practice. “From what I’m seeing, it’s a retrogression in our quest for a better democracy. It’s a retrogression,” he said. Mr Kpebu argued that where an MP is required by law enforcement authorities, the appropriate parliamentary procedure should be followed rather than having security officers attempt to arrest the legislator directly. “As far as I’m aware, by the Parliament Act 300 and then the constitutional architecture, when you need a parliamentarian, whether he’s on…