The High Court has ordered the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, to remain available to investigators as the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) continues its probe into alleged financial offences.
The directive formed part of the conditions under which the court granted the MP GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, both of whom are his parliamentary colleagues.
Nana Baffour Awuah is expected to return to court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m., as proceedings relating to the investigation continue.
The bail hearing was marked by differing accounts from the defence and the prosecution over the MP’s interactions with EOCO.
His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, argued that the MP had demonstrated his willingness to cooperate with investigators by voluntarily reporting to EOCO on October 1, accompanied by his legal team.
According to the defence, Nana Baffour Awuah spent approximately eight hours at the EOCO office, where he was detained and questioned. Investigators also searched his residence and office under warrants issued by the High Court.
Mr Atta Akyea maintained that these circumstances showed that his client was not a flight risk and urged the court to grant him bail on self-recognisance.
The prosecution, however, presented a different account of the MP’s engagement with investigators.
Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that EOCO had first invited Nana Baffour Awuah in February 2026 and had made subsequent attempts to secure his attendance.
He also drew the court’s attention to an alleged attempt to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23, followed by the issuance of an arrest warrant on September 30.
The prosecution, therefore, urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the MP remains accessible to both investigators and the court.
At the centre of the investigation are alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. The allegations reportedly include criminal conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering, and tax-related offences.
The defence has disputed aspects of the allegations, particularly the treatment of a GH¢9.85 million settlement involving SIC Savings and Loans.
Mr Atta Akyea explained that Nana Baffour Awuah’s former law firm had been engaged to recover money owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans.
The recovery process, according to the defence, became the subject of prolonged litigation after property connected to the judgment debtor was attached. A third party subsequently claimed ownership of the property, resulting in further legal proceedings.
The third party later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, with terms subsequently filed before a competent court.
The defence rejected the characterisation of the settlement as the “dissipation” of GH¢9.85 million, maintaining that it was the outcome of a commercial settlement and included payment of legal fees.
In seeking favourable bail conditions, Mr Atta Akyea also referred to previous criminal cases involving Members of Parliament, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda.
After considering arguments from both sides, the High Court granted Nana Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties.
The court also directed the MP to make himself available to EOCO as the investigation proceeds.
The allegations against him remain under investigation and have not been finally determined by the court.Source: Prosper AGBENYEGA
