Private legal practitioner and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team member, Kwasi Kwarteng, has indicated that said an arrest warrant should not be interpreted as evidence of wrongdoing.

He, therefore, urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to ensure that the execution of arrest warrants complies with the law.

'Bail has been weaponised in Ghana' - NPP's Kwasi Kwarteng

His comments follow the attempted arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Thursday, October 1, 2026, Kwarteng sought to explain the development that has sparked discussions across platforms.

“An arrest warrant really does not say anything. It's just a way of saying that, well, I have some offence against you. Come and explain yourself,” he said.

He explained that investigative agencies could arrest a person and subsequently decide whether to proceed with a case in court.

Kwarteng also said the person against whom the warrant had been issued could take steps to have it cancelled.

However, he stressed that EOCO, despite having obtained a warrant, was still required to operate within the law.

“But most importantly, EOCO must also understand that they are operating within the remit of the law. It is not an institution which is also living above the law,” he said.

The lawyer also raised concerns about the application of parliamentary immunity in the case involving Baffour Awuah, arguing that the MP's status should be considered in the execution of the warrant.

“I agree that parliamentary immunities are not absolute, but it is also important that parliamentary immunities, even though it's not absolute, it's also not meaningless,” he said.

He referenced Article 117 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides protections relating to the arrest and legal processes involving Members of Parliament.

Kwarteng said the constitutional provision should not be treated as meaningless, stressing that its inclusion was intended to serve a purpose.

He further said reports that the judge who issued the warrant directed EOCO to go through the Speaker of Parliament before effecting the arrest should also be considered.

He noted that reports indicated Baffour Awuah intended to report to EOCO voluntarily.

“If it was me personally, probably I would even avail myself,” Kwarteng said.

The attempted arrest occurred while Baffour Awuah was at the High Court representing a client. EOCO's conduct in the matter has attracted criticism from some legal practitioners and the Ghana Bar Association, while other commentators have described the encounter differently.

Kwarteng also criticised the use of arrest and detention in circumstances where suspects may subsequently be denied bail or kept in custody over weekends.

“Usually they use arrest as a means of punishing you, sometimes denying you bail,” he said.

NA/VPO

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