The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has explained why it attempted to arrest Salomey Baffoe’s lead counsel who doubles as the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, on Wednesday, September 23.

In a press statement, EOCO said Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah refused to honour two invitations issued in February 2026 to assist with its investigations.

The statement further noted, “The Office had previously invited Hon. Baffour Awuah to assist with the investigation on two occasions in February 2026. The invitations were not honoured”.

According to the crime office the attempted arrest was part of lawful measures to compel his appearance after he failed to honour the two earlier invitations.

On Wednesday, September 23, the Economic and Organised Crime Office attempted to take Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah into custody.

The incident occurred during proceedings on Ms Baffoe’s bail application, in which she faces an abetment-of-crime charge related to the alleged publication of false news on the TikTok account “Ghana Jollof.”

Salomey Awiti has been charged with abetment of crime over her alleged publication and circulation of false news on social media. On September 13, police arrested Ms Bafoh, 40, at her home in Hansua, Techiman Municipality, Bono East Region.

Ms Bafoh pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of crime in connection with the alleged publication of false news, contrary to sections 20(1) and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The court declined to grant her bail and remanded her in custody for two weeks. The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh worked as an intermediary for Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, known as ‘Ghana Jollof,’ and supported the circulation of her videos by engaging other individuals to share and redistribute the material.

The prosecution alleges that Ms Bafoh facilitated the circulation of videos produced by Barbara Asantewaa Kodua, popularly known as ‘Ghana Jollof’, by serving as an intermediary and enlisting others to share the content. Meanwhile, the court has yet to establish these allegations. Dr Bawumia has, in recent times, spoken out on issues concerning freedom of speech.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has noted that Ghana’s democracy can only be strengthened when citizens are free to express themselves without fear of arrest or prosecution for their speech.

In an official statement, Dr Bawumia noted that those who oppose and speak freely against politicians should not face arrest or prosecution for expressing their views, as they all contribute to strengthening Ghana's democracy through open and free public discourse.

“Ghana's democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear”.

His comment follows a plea urging the government to release a National Democratic Congress (NDC) organiser in Agona West who is facing charges over alleged offensive comments made about him.

According to Dr Bawumia, he neither lodged complaints nor sanctioned the prosecution of individuals who spoke against him during his tenure as Vice President or while the NPP was in government, believing such actions would be imprudent and contrary to democratic principles.

The statement said, “Dr. Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen. He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.

“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood”.

Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia has added to the many individuals cautioning President John Dramani Mahama against assenting to the recently passed Tribunals Bill, 2026 passed by Parliament.

The Tribunals Bill, 2026, was passed by Parliament on Thursday, July 16, following the completion of its third reading and subsequent approval by members of the House. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to give his assent in the coming days before it becomes law. The Tribunals Bill therefore seeks to address the lacuna in the legal framework of Ghana regarding tribunals.