Former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, has vehemently criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for attempting to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the court premises on Wednesday, September 23rd. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Mr. Fuseini described the initial encounter as problematic, arguing that EOCO should have sought a court warrant and utilized a more formal parliamentary channel to compel the MP to appear before the agency.
Mr. Fuseini stated, ‘I think that the approach was problematic because why would they go and try to arrest him at the court premises?’ He emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the initial encounter suggested a more measured approach was possible. He noted that the female EOCO official who first approached the MP was, in his view, ‘very civil, cordial and respectful,’ indicating that the engagement did not initially require a confrontational approach.
Furthermore, Mr. Fuseini asserted that EOCO should have returned to court to obtain a warrant and have it served through the Speaker of Parliament, thereby securing Mr. Baffour Awuah’s attendance. He explicitly stated, ‘I think that on a whole, what they ought to have done, they simply [had] to go to court to secure a warrant and serve the warrant on him through the Speaker and compel him to attend.’
The incident follows a confrontation between the Manhyia South MP and EOCO personnel at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, September 23rd, which has ignited public debate regarding the investigative powers of EOCO and the procedures governing parliamentary involvement in investigations. This event has amplified concerns about the potential for EOCO to exceed its authorized scope of authority when dealing with sitting MPs. The debate centers on whether EOCO should prioritize utilizing a formal warrant and legal process to compel a member of Parliament’s attendance, rather than relying on potentially less formal methods. The situation highlights a critical juncture in parliamentary oversight and the balance between investigative authority and procedural safeguards.
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Source: Adom Online
