South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has criticised the reported attempt by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court.
Mr Dafeamekpor said the reported attempt did not follow the procedure he believes should be used when law enforcement seeks to arrest a sitting MP.
He referred to Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides certain protections for Members of Parliament.
“It is therefore absolutely unacceptable for EOCO to seek to arrest a sitting Member of Parliament, especially within the precincts of the court, without applying the procedure in force regarding his Article 117 rights,” he stated.
Mr Dafeamekpor said Parliament would resist any action that undermines its authority and its relationship with other state institutions.
He also noted that Parliament is currently hosting the ECOWAS Parliament for a major conference in Accra, saying incidents of this nature could affect Ghana’s image.
He stressed that if Baffour Awuah is suspected of committing an offence, the matter should be handled according to the law.
“If the Hon. Baffour-Awuah is alleged to have committed any offence, for which EOCO requires his presence, by all means, let the law speak, but let the law follow lawful procedure in Article 117 in doing so,” he said.
