An Accra High Court has issued a warrant authorising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The warrant, issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, also authorises EOCO to search for and seize documents considered relevant to the investigation.
The development marks a significant escalation in the matter, which has drawn public attention following an unsuccessful attempt by EOCO officers to arrest the legislator at the Accra High Court premises on September 23.
According to reports from the court proceedings, EOCO applied for the warrant after telling the court that its officers had exhausted reasonable means of securing Mr Baffour Awuah’s voluntary attendance to assist with the investigation.
The Office also expressed concern that documents relevant to the inquiry could be concealed, altered or destroyed if the requested orders were not granted.
The court’s decision gives the agency judicial authorisation to proceed with the arrest and the search and seizure of relevant documents.
However, the issuance of an arrest warrant does not establish that the MP has committed an offence. The allegations remain subject to investigation and any applicable legal proceedings.
Investigation into SIC Life Savings and Loans
EOCO is investigating alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. The agency says it invited Mr Baffour Awuah twice in February 2026 to assist with its inquiries.
At the time, he was the senior partner of Sarkodie Baffour Awuah & Partners, a law firm engaged by SIC Life to recover funds connected to a financial transaction involving the now-defunct Equity Savings and Loans.
The investigation reportedly concerns the handling and recovery of funds associated with that transaction. Corrections Policy
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Justice Srem-Sai has also identified alleged financial loss, dissipation of public funds and money laundering among the matters under investigation. These remain allegations and have not been established as proven offences.
The specific findings of the investigation have not been fully established publicly, and the warrant itself should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt.
MP Disputes EOCO’s Account
Mr Baffour Awuah has challenged EOCO’s account of the earlier invitations and the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest.
In a statement following the September 23 incident, the MP maintained that he had not personally been the subject of the investigation. He said the February 10 invitation was addressed to him in his capacity as senior partner of the law firm to assist with inquiries concerning the firm’s client, SIC Life Savings and Loans.
He explained that after becoming an MP, he referred the invitation to the Clerk to Parliament on February 18 for advice. Editorial Standards
According to his account, a representative of the law firm subsequently cooperated with EOCO on March 4, March 18 and April 30, 2026, and submitted a formal written statement on April 30.
The MP argued that the firm had provided the requested information and that he had received no further invitation before the September 23 incident. EOCO, however, maintains that it had invited him twice and that further steps were necessary to secure his attendance.
The differing accounts have made the handling of the investigation an important part of the public discussion.
September 23 Attempted Arrest
The latest court order follows a confrontation at the Accra High Court complex on September 23, when an EOCO officer approached Mr Baffour Awuah shortly after court proceedings.
EOCO later said the attempted arrest was part of lawful steps to secure his attendance in the investigation. The agency explained that the operation was discontinued after officers assessed that further action could endanger public safety.
The MP, meanwhile, questioned the circumstances of the encounter and said he was concerned about the officer’s failure to provide the documentation he requested at the scene. Privacy Policy & Terms
The incident attracted criticism from the Ghana Bar Association, which raised concerns about the manner in which the attempted arrest was carried out on court premises and emphasised the importance of due process and professional independence.
Parliamentary Privileges and Due Process
The case has also raised questions about how law enforcement agencies should proceed when investigations involve sitting members of Parliament.
EOCO has acknowledged that MPs enjoy constitutional privileges and immunities but maintains that parliamentary membership does not automatically place an individual beyond the reach of the law. Newscard
Insight Ghana Newsroom reported that the High Court directed EOCO to execute the arrest through the Speaker of Parliament. This aspect of the order places the next steps within the context of the constitutional and procedural considerations surrounding a sitting legislator.
The development is likely to sustain public interest in the balance between parliamentary privileges, law enforcement responsibilities and the rights of individuals involved in criminal investigations.
What Happens Next?
The warrant provides EOCO with court-authorised means to pursue the MP’s arrest and obtain documents relevant to its inquiry. The agency’s next actions and any response from Parliament may determine how the matter proceeds.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against Mr Baffour Awuah have not been proven in court. Any determination of criminal responsibility must follow the applicable legal process.
The case also underscores the importance of transparency and due process when public officials, legal practitioners and state institutions become involved in contentious investigations.
As developments unfold, attention will remain on EOCO’s execution of the warrant, the MP’s response and the progress of the investigation into the transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.