Manhyia North MP condemns Gbande’s comments on Baffour Awuah’s arrest

Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Akwasi Konadu, has criticised comments by National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande concerning the arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.

Mr Konadu said remarks suggesting that a political figure could influence the actions of a law enforcement agency raised concerns about due process and the independence of state institutions.

His comments follow statements by Mr Gbande regarding the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and its handling of the matter involving the Manhyia South MP.

In an interview, Mr Gbande initially said he had met the EOCO leadership and asked that Mr Baffour Awuah be arrested. He later clarified that he did not mean that he had ordered the arrest, saying he had only asked the EOCO boss to ensure the lawmaker was arrested if necessary.

“I did not say that I ordered the arrest of the Manhyia South MP. I said he should do well to arrest him,” Mr Gbande said in his subsequent clarification.

He maintained that politicians and other public officials are not above the law and should cooperate with investigations by law enforcement agencies.

Mr Gbande also criticised Mr Baffour Awuah for challenging EOCO to arrest him, arguing that the MP should have honoured the agency’s invitation despite concerns about the manner in which the initial attempted arrest was conducted.

Mr Konadu, however, took issue with the manner in which Mr Gbande’s comments were presented, arguing that they suggested an improper exercise of political influence over a state institution.

Speaking to Citi News, the Manhyia North MP said the remarks raised questions about the extent to which due process was being observed in the case.

“For you as a person of that calibre telling Ghanaians that you told the EOCO boss to arrest him and that whatever the fallouts would be, you will deal with it and that you give no regards to due process in the law is the highest form of arrogance of power,” Mr Konadu said.

He also referred to a reported comment by Mr Gbande about demonstrating where power lies, saying the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) would instead continue to focus on holding the government accountable.

“I heard him say that they are now going to show us where power lies because they are left with two years. Nobody is worried about what they do. We are focused on making sure that we are holding the government accountable,” he said.

The dispute involving Mr Baffour Awuah and EOCO dates back to February, when the anti-graft agency invited the MP for questioning.

EOCO officers attempted to arrest him at the Accra High Court on September 23, but he subsequently reported to the agency after a High Court warrant was issued on September 30. He has since been charged with conspiracy, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering and has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Gbande has maintained that the MP should have cooperated with EOCO and rejected suggestions that the investigation was intended to silence him or was connected to his legal representation of Salomey Baffoe in another case.

The latest exchange has renewed debate over the relationship between political actors, law enforcement agencies and due process in the handling of investigations involving elected officials.