Vim Lady attacks EOCO handling of Baffour Awuah case as national embarrassment

Vim Lady, a US-based Ghanaian journalist known as Afia Pokua, has described the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s handling of the investigation into Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah as a national embarrassment. She argues the case reveals a deliberate effort by the government to target opposition New Patriotic Party members through state agencies. According to her, the pace and nature of EOCO’s actions suggest a cover-up, stating, “It is becoming so obvious that we have something to hide.”

Her comments follow escalating tensions between the MP and EOCO. On September 23, officers attempted to arrest Baffour Awuah at Accra High Court after he allegedly ignored two invitations issued in February. The MP rejected the arrest as unlawful, but the High Court issued a warrant on September 30 authorising EOCO to detain him and seize documents. He later presented himself with his lawyer, Samuel Atta Kyea, and was questioned. EOCO then executed separate search warrants at his office and residence.

The investigation centres on allegations including criminal conspiracy, financial loss to SIC Life Savings & Loans, money laundering and tax-related offences. EOCO maintains it has pursued all lawful avenues to secure his cooperation. Baffour Awuah counters that the February correspondence related to his former role as Senior Partner at Sarkodie, Baffour Awuah & Partners, a firm that represented SIC. He claims a firm representative attended EOCO sessions three times to provide information. ECO disputes this version, stating the matter requires direct scrutiny.

The MP has consistently framed the case as politically motivated witch-hunting. He warns that if the NPP regains power, the state apparatus will be used more aggressively against its members. His stance reflects growing distrust in state investigations involving opposition figures. The government has not issued a formal rebuttal to these claims.

EOCO has not publicly detailed next steps beyond the ongoing investigation. The case remains under judicial supervision, with potential for further legal proceedings depending on evidence gathered. Public opinion is divided, with political actors and civil society watching closely.