Private legal practitioner Lawyer Adom Kwame Appiah has questioned how the case involving Manhyia South lawmaker Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has been handled, particularly the role of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Foyo Gbande.

Appiah raised concerns about Gbande’s admission that he told EOCO to arrest the lawmaker.

EOCO secured a court warrant to arrest Baffour Awuah over allegations linked to financial transactions involving his law firm, SIC Life, and a GHC14.8 million debt recovery settlement.

But Appiah said state investigative bodies must operate independently and follow evidence and due process rather than respond to political pressure.

He warned political actors and state institutions that political power can change hands.

“Power is temporary,” Appiah said on Angel FM, cautioning those in authority against actions that could later be used against them when political circumstances change.

He also questioned the practice of public officials or state agencies pursuing political opponents based on public pressure instead of established legal procedures.

According to him, investigations must be driven by evidence and the law, not political demands.

Appiah further warned against allowing EOCO to become an instrument for political score-settling.

“We should not allow EOCO to become a tool for settling political scores,” he said, stressing the need for the institution to maintain its independence.

He said the Baffour Awuah case should therefore be handled through the appropriate legal processes, regardless of the political positions of those involved.

Appiah’s comments come amid controversy over Gbande’s admission that he personally urged EOCO to arrest the Manhyia South MP, although Gbande has subsequently clarified that he did not issue a formal order.