Bail conditions, parliamentary safeguards and demolition powers

The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has been granted a GH¢10 million bail with two sureties by the High Court in Accra.

His two sureties are the members of Parliament for Bosome Freho and Effia, who were all present in court.

The court directed Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to deposit his passport with the Court Registry.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reports that Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit crime, causing financial loss of GH¢9.85 million to the state and money laundering, arising from alleged financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans when he was arraigned on Saturday.

The court, presided over by Justice Charity Akosua Asem, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court Judge, also ordered the MP to make himself available to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) whenever required for investigations.

The prosecution, led by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General, did not oppose the grant of bail but urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the accused remained available to the court and investigators.

Dr Srem-Sai told the court that EOCO had made several attempts to secure Nana Baffour Awuah’s attendance during investigations and urged the court to take those circumstances into consideration in determining the bail conditions.

“I do not oppose bail, but I wish to draw the attention of the court to some factors to assist the court on the conditions of bail,” he said.

Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Nana Baffour Awuah, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that the accused was a sitting MP and was not a flight risk or likely to interfere with investigations.

“The accused person is not a flight risk and he went to EOCO on his own volition. We are ready to comply with reasonable terms that the court may impose on us,” he said.

Mr Atta Akyea also drew the court’s attention to previous cases in which former Ministers had been granted bail on their own recognisance.

“We have two MPs in court who have elected to stand as sureties for the accused, who is a colleague,” he added.

The court directed the prosecution to file its disclosures by October 22, 2026, to enable it to conduct a Case Management Conference on November 2, 2026.

The case follows an investigation by EOCO into alleged financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

EOCO had earlier sought to secure Nana Baffour Awuah’ sattendance for questioning and subsequently obtained a High Court warrant for his arrest and the search and seizure of documents relevant to the investigation.

Nana Baffour Awuah, subsequently, reported himself to EOCO on October 1, 2026, accompanied by his lawyers.

He was detained and questioned as part of the investigation.

His lawyers have maintained that the transactions under investigation arose from legal work undertaken by his former law firm.

Parliament has condemned the continued detention of the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) since his voluntary surrender and arrest last Thursday.

In a statement dated Saturday, October 3, 2026, issued by the Director of Media Relations, David Sebastian Damoah, Parliament called for his immediate release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PARLIAMENT EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER THE CONTINUOUS DETENTION OF HON. NANA AGYELBAFFOUR AWUAH, MP FOR MANHYIA SOUTH

Parliament has learnt, with grave concern the continuous detention of the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), after the Member voluntarily presented himself to EOCO following reports that the High Court had issued a warrant for his arrest.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, considers the circumstances surrounding the Member's detention a matter of serious concern to Parliament, raising questions about the rights of the Member, the privileges and independence of Parliament, and the proper exercise of investigative powers.

Parliament affirms unequivocally that Members of Parliament are not above the law. Where a Member is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence, the law must take its course. At the same time, Members of Parliament do not act merely in their personal capacities. The law, therefore, recognizes certain safeguards governing interactions between Members and other organs of State. These safeguards are intended not to shield Members from accountability, but to protect the independence of Parliament and the mandate of the people they represent.

The Speaker has been informed that the High Court directed EOCO to enforce the warrant against the Member. The Speaker has not yet seen the terms of that directive and therefore does not purport to interpret it. However, once the Member voluntarily presented himself to EOCO and submitted to its processes, any decision to continue holding him in custody, ought to have a clear and demonstrable basis in law and necessity.

Parliament is particularly concerned about the necessity and proportionality of the detention of a Member who voluntarily reported to EOCO and, as Parliament understands it, cooperated with the process.

The power to arrest or detain is a serious coercive power of the State. It must always be exercised lawfully, reasonably and with due regard to the constitutional rights and dignity of every person.

Where the purpose of securing a person's attendance has already been achieved through voluntary appearance, continued detention should not become routine or punitive. If the warrant or a court order required the Member to be brought before the High Court, every reasonable effort should have been made to place him before the Court at the earliest lawful opportunity.

This is not the first time questions have arisen concerning the arrest, detention or prosecution of sitting Members of Parliament, Parliament recalls previous experiences involving Members, since the advent of the second Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

These episodes demonstrate the need for greater clarity concerning the procedures applicable when investigative or prosecutorial authorities seek to arrest, detain or prosecute a sitting Member of Parliament.

Parliament will therefore examine the existing constitutional and statutory framework and, where necessary, consider appropriate legislation to ensure accountability, due process and the rule of law coexist with the independence and effective functioning of Parliament.

Parliament calls on all state institutions and public officials to exercise coercive powers with restraint, fairess and full respect for constitutional rights. The Rt Hon Speaker reiterates that a political opponent is not a political enemy. Past excesses cannot justify present excesses. Ghana cannot build a stronger democracy by perpetuating a cycle in which questionable conduct is defended merely because similar conduct occurred under a previous administration. This cycle must end.

Parliament therefore urges that all matters concerning Hon. Nana Agyei Baffuor Awuah be handled strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the law and all applicable orders of the courts, with full respect for his rights and without any unnecessary interference with the constitutional work of Parliament.

Menu Search for Switch skin Home News Politics Business Sports Crime Africa More World Education Editorial Features Lifestyle Technology Gallery Contact Us Facebook X TikTok RSS Switch skin Search for Hot! News La Pleasure Beach demolition; MP says govt unaware October 2, 2026 1 minute read Structures at La Pleasure Beach in Accra have been demolished in an exercise carried out under the supervision of National Security.

Popular entertainment spots including Pera Beach and Polo Beach Club, located near the Labadi Beach Hotel, were among the hardest hit.

A joint security force on Friday undertook the demolition as part of an ongoing exercise to clear structures in the La beach area. This follows weeks of warnings to occupants to vacate the area.

Some occupants, however, said the notice period was inadequate, leading to the destruction of properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.

One worker, who said she is a single mother, lamented: "We were given two weeks’ notice to start packing, but we thought it was a joke."

Member of Parliament for La Dade-Kotopon, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who confronted the security personnel at the scene, said government was not aware of the exercise.

She expressed disaffection for the action, saying it has rendered many people jobless.

The aftermath of the exercise left the area littered with debris and damaged structures.

Search Watch live Home News Politics Business Sports Entertainment Opinion Videos More Full text: Amendments made to NPP's Constitution The amendments were read by the Chairman of the Constitution Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, surrounded by members.

Copy link Add 3News as your preferred source on Google Preferred source Article tools Ask AI Listen to this article AI narration Playback position 0:00 9:34 10 10 Playback speed 1× Over 7,000 delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gathered at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi have by voice votes amended sections of the party's constitution.

The amendments were read by the Chairman of the Constitution Amendment Committee, Frank Davies, surrounded by members.

"Aye!!!" they shouted in response to the movement of the motion by Mr Frank Davies on October 3.

Amend Articles 4 (1) (7) (c) and 16(9) to increase the representation of the National Council of Elders on the National Disciplinary Committee from one (1) to two (2) members.

[The proposal seeks to strengthen the representation of the National Council of Elders on the National Disciplinary Committee by increasing its membership from one to two. This will enhance the experience, wisdom and institutional perspective brought to bear on disciplinary proceedings, while promoting greater balance, fairness and confidence in the Party's disciplinary processes].

Amend Article 7(2) of the Constitution to provide for the appointment of one additional Constituency Vice Chairperson to the composition of the Constituency Executive Committee.

[The proposal seeks to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the Constituency Executive Committees by providing one additional Constituency Vice Chairperson. This will broaden leadership participation, facilitate the effective distribution of responsibilities, and improve coordination and administration at the constituency level].

Amend Articles 7(2) and 9(1) of the Constitution to include the Regional Information Technology (IT) Officer and Constituency Information Technology (IT) Officer as members of their respective Regional and Constituency Executive Committees.

[The amendment seeks to formally recognize IT Officers as members of Regional and Constituency Executive Committees, reflecting the growing importance of technology, information and data in Party administration and electoral activities. Their inclusion will strengthen data management, digital coordination, accountability and information security, while providing the necessary authority, independence and institutional protection for them to effectively discharge their technical responsibilities. It will also enhance the Party's operational efficiency, institutional continuity, and electoral preparedness in an increasingly digital political environment].

Amend Articles 7(2) and 9(1) of the Constitution to provide for the appointment of Deputy Regional Communications Officers and Deputy Constituency Communications Officers as members of their respective Regional and Constituency Executive Committees.

[The proposal is necessitated by the transition of Regional and Constituency Communications Officers from appointive to elective positions, bringing them in line with other elected officers who have deputies. The expansion of the communications structure from the Polling Station and Electoral Area levels has also significantly increased the number of Party communicators requiring coordination. Given the critical role of communication in modern electoral politics, Deputy Communications Officers will provide essential support to the substantive officers, enhance coordination and ensure the effective management of the Party's growing communications network].

Amend Article 9 (1) to provide for the appointment of two additional Regional Vice Chairpersons to the composition of the Regional Executive Committee.

Amend Article 10(1) (3) to grant voting rights to the Chairpersons of the Regional Council of Elders at the National Delegates Conference.

[The proposal seeks to ensure consistency and fairness in the allocation of voting rights at the National Delegates Conference. Since Regional Council of Elders Chairpersons are members of the Regional Steering Committees per Article 9(3), and other members of these Regional Steering Committees enjoy voting rights, extending the same right to the Chairpersons will eliminate an anomaly and ensure equitable representation].

Amend Article 10(1)(3) to grant voting rights to the Chairpersons of the Regional Patrons at the National Delegates Conference.

[The proposal seeks to recognize the significant financial and other contributions of Party Patrons to the growth and sustenance of the Party. Granting voting rights to Regional Patrons' Chairpersons at the National Delegates Conference will enhance their recognition, boost morale, and strengthen their sense of belonging and participation in Party decision making].

Amend Article 10(2) of the Constitution to mandate the National Council to provide for an Administrative Manual containing the detailed duties, responsibilities and functions of all elected and non-elected Party officers at all levels of the Party.

[The proposal seeks to institutionalize a clear framework for the duties and responsibilities of all Party officers. The Manual will promote clarity, consistency and accountability, reduce duplication and conflicts of roles, and ensure that officers at all levels have clear guidance for the effective discharge of their functions].

"the Presidential Candidate shall, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, develop the campaign structure for the presidential election and appoint the Chairperson and other members of the National Campaign Advisory Committee, subject to the approval of the National Council, to oversee and coordinate the national campaign of the Party."

[The amendment seeks to ensure that campaign leadership is aligned with the vision of the Presidential Candidate, while preserving the Party's institutional oversight. The Presidential Candidate should therefore lead the development of the campaign structure and selection of the Campaign Advisory Committee, in consultation with the National Executive Committee, ensuring both strategic effectiveness and collective Party ownership].

a. When the Party has an elected Presidential Candidate, the Presidential Candidate shall be the Leader of the Party.

b. When the Party is in Government, the President shall be the Leader of the Party until a Presidential Candidate is elected.

[The amendment seeks to formalize the Party's leadership structure and eliminate ambiguity or potential contestation over who exercises political leadership of the Party. It recognizes the Presidential Candidate as the prin-cipal political focal point of the Party and, where the Party is in Govern-ment, The President as the holder of the highest executive and political authority. The proposal therefore establishes a clear and logical succession of political leadership: the Presidential Candidate leads where one has been elected; the President leads where the Party is in Government but has no Presidential Candidate].