The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Adjei Baffour Awuah, has been granted GH¢10 million bail with two sureties by the High Court following his arrest and interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The court, in granting the bail, held that the MP could not be considered a flight risk but directed him to make himself available to investigators as the probe continues.
Nana Baffour Awuah is expected to reappear before the court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m.
The bail application followed extensive arguments between his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, and the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
Atta Akyea urged the court to grant the MP self-recognisance bail, citing his status as a sitting MP and lawyer. He told the court that Nana Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, at about 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his lawyers.
According to the defence, the MP spent about eight hours at EOCO, where he was detained and subsequently subjected to further questioning. EOCO also conducted searches at his residence and office under warrants obtained from the High Court.
Atta Akyea argued that his client’s voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators demonstrated that he posed no flight risk.
He also challenged the substance of the allegations, particularly those relating to a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.
The defence explained that Nana Baffour Awuah’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans. The recovery process, it said, resulted in prolonged litigation over the attachment of property believed to belong to the judgment debtor.
A third party subsequently laid claim to the property, leading to further litigation. According to the defence, the claimant later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, resulting in terms of settlement being filed before a competent court.
Mr Atta Akyea rejected the description of the settlement as the “dissipation” of GH¢9.85 million, arguing that it arose from a commercial settlement and payment of legal fees.
He further cited previous criminal cases involving MPs, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda, in urging the court to consider self-recognisance bail.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, however, urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure Nana Baffour Awuah remains available to investigators and the court.
He disputed the defence’s claim that the MP had consistently made himself available to investigative authorities, saying EOCO first invited him in February 2026 and subsequently made further attempts to secure his attendance.
Dr Srem-Sai also referred to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23 and the subsequent issuance of an arrest warrant by the High Court on September 30.
He argued that those circumstances should be considered in determining the conditions for the MP’s bail.
The High Court subsequently granted Nana Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, both of whom are his parliamentary colleagues.
The court also directed him to make himself available for investigations and to return on October 26 and November 2 at 10 a.m.
The case forms part of an ongoing EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans. The investigation includes allegations of criminal conspiracy, financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences, which remain under investigation.
