Atta Akyea Defends Manhyia South MP As EOCO Searches His Law Firm
Lawyer questions why investigators persist with a search for a file already given up
Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has challenged the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s decision to raid his client’s law practice.
He insists the investigative body should not be searching the firm after the particular document they seek has already been handed over to SIC Life, the party directly concerned in the SIC Life case. He said this during an appearance on Joy FM’s Top Story programme.
According to him, EOCO’s hand‑off was satisfied when the client accepted the file, making any continued presence of that file at the lawyer’s office unnecessary. He warned that subjecting confidential client files to a search could expose the agency to liability if information unrelated to the probe is disclosed.
“The law firm is a sanctuary of confidentiality. Searching it for matters that belong to other clients could be problematic,” he remarked when asked whether the search might breach legal protections for those records.
The lawyer also pressed the point that merely giving a client an unfavourable settlement does not automatically constitute a criminal act. He questioned how a settlement that may have caused dissatisfaction translates into a criminal offence.
The raid on the law office was still underway when his remarks were recorded. EOCO has indicated that it will follow up with a search at the MP’s private residence.
Mr Baffour Awuah remains under investigation concerning alleged unauthorised financial dealings at SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.
Civil society groups have called for parliamentary scrutiny of EOCO’s powers while political commentators continue to denounce what they describe as politically motivated intimidation of the legislator.
Atta Akyea reiterated his belief that EOCO lacks a legitimate basis to pursue the inquiry, maintaining that Mr Baffour Awuah was following instructions from his client throughout the transaction.
He further stated that the MP has been formally charged with money laundering and loss of public funds and will spend another night in EOCO custody before any further legal steps.
