Afenyo-Markin Challenges EOCO's Home Search of Manhyia South MP

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has raised concerns over the Economic and Organised Crime Office's (EOCO) plan to search the residence of Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. He argued that a court order obtained by EOCO specifically authorized a search of the MP's office and law firm, not his private home. According to Afenyo-Markin, EOCO officials informed the MP after 2pm on Friday, October 2, 2026, that they intended to conduct a search at his residence, a move he described as 'curious' given the court's specific wording.

The court order, as cited by Afenyo-Markin, required service on the Speaker of Parliament, who would notify the MP through parliamentary procedures before EOCO could proceed. The MP arrived at EOCO at 10:47am on Thursday with his lawyers and colleagues, expecting to be seen within 15 minutes. However, he waited for hours before being summoned for interrogation.

Afenyo-Markin detailed that the MP was asked to provide an overview of a case his law firm handled for SIC Life in 2018. After completing this task around 4pm, EOCO officials arrested him. The arrest occurred following a series of procedural delays and interactions that Afenyo-Markin said raised questions about the alignment of EOCO's actions with the court's directives.

The minority leader emphasized that the court order was explicit about the scope of the search, leaving no ambiguity regarding the locations covered. He indicated that ECOCO's decision to extend the search to the MP's home required further justification, which he intended to seek through parliamentary channels.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Manhyia South MP, has not publicly commented on the matter beyond the details provided by Afenyo-Markin. The incident has sparked discussions within political circles about the interpretation and enforcement of court orders by state investigative bodies.

EOCO has not yet released an official statement clarifying its position on the search or the legal basis for extending it to the MP's residence. The agency's next steps, including whether it will seek further judicial authorization, remain uncertain.

The situation underscores ongoing tensions between state institutions and opposition figures, particularly in cases involving corruption investigations. Afenyo-Markin's critique reflects broader concerns about due process and the adherence to legal procedures in such operations.