Kpebu Urges EOCO to Use Parliamentary Procedure for MP Arrest
Legal expert Martin Kpebu argues EOCO should have written to Parliament’s Speaker instead of seeking an arrest warrant for MP Baffour Awuah.
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has criticized the Economic and Organised Crime Office for pursuing an arrest warrant against Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah rather than using a formal parliamentary request.
He said EOCO could have written directly to Speaker Alban Bagbin to secure the MP’s attendance, a step that aligns with Section 20 of the Ghana Parliament Act.
Kpebu recalled that EOCO’s earlier attempt to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court failed, and he expected the agency to follow the established legislative channel.
The comment comes after a High Court in Accra granted EOCO permission to arrest the MP on September 30, following claims that the office had exhausted all viable means of obtaining his voluntary cooperation.
Section 20 of the Parliament Act outlines how law enforcement can request an MP’s presence by addressing the Speaker, who can then coordinate with parliamentary authorities to ensure compliance while respecting parliamentary privileges.
Kpebu emphasized that this procedure would have allowed the state to proceed without undermining the dignity of the parliamentary office.
The warrant follows two separate invitations issued by EOCO in February, which the MP allegedly ignored, prompting the agency to pursue legal enforcement.
The case remains under judicial review, and further developments are expected as the legal process continues.
