John Boadu Criticizes EOCO Detention of Manhyia South MP
NPP chairman hopeful John Boadu warned that even death in EOCO custody would not be a problem for them.
John Boadu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman hopeful, has openly criticized the continued detention of Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). He described the arrest as part of a long-standing pattern of inviting, delaying and holding people, a tactic he likened to pre-colonial methods of coercion. Speaking from the EOCO premises on Thursday, Boadu stressed that the MP would not die in custody, and if he did, it would not matter to them. His remarks came as he stood alongside former Yendi MP Farouk Aliu Mahama during a visit to the office where the detained lawmaker was being held.
The detention of Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah followed his voluntary appearance at EOCO to assist with investigations into alleged financial irregularities at SIC Life Savings and Loans. A High Court warrant had previously authorized his arrest in connection with suspected unauthorized transactions involving the company. Boadu questioned the necessity of keeping the MP in custody, emphasizing that as both a lawyer and a sitting member of parliament, Awuah could make himself available at any time for questioning. He pointed out that such treatment was unusual for someone of Awuah’s standing and suggested the state was overreaching.
Beyond his critique of the legal process, Boadu raised concerns about the broader implications of EOCO’s actions. He claimed that even members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were expressing dissatisfaction with how the institution was handling the case. According to him, the NDC perceived the detention as an abuse of state power, and this sentiment was adding pressure on the government to reconsider its approach. Boadu’s comments reflect growing unease within political circles about the use of investigative bodies to settle political scores.
The MP is currently under investigation for alleged financial misconduct related to SIC Life Savings and Loans, a case that has drawn attention from multiple state agencies. Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai confirmed that the probe involves suspected offenses including financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering. While the legal process continues, Boadu’s public stance underscores a deeper tension between party loyalty and institutional accountability within Ghana’s political landscape.
