NPP Youth Organizer faults EOCO over conduct in attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP
Mandela Mubashir Kasim questions EOCO’s procedure, insisting law enforcement must follow due process when dealing with a sitting MP.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth Organizer for the Chiana-Paga Constituency, Mandela Mubashir Kasim, has criticized the conduct of an Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) official during an attempted arrest of the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour.
According to Kasim, the manner in which the attempted arrest was carried out at the premises of the Accra High Court raised concerns about the professionalism and procedure followed by the EOCO official.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, September 25, Kasim said the official failed to properly identify herself or provide documentation to demonstrate that she had the authority to arrest the MP.
He argued that the MP had legitimate reasons to seek clarification before allowing himself to be taken away, particularly because the official allegedly arrived in an unmarked vehicle.
“What shows you are from EOCO? Where is your arrest warrant? How prepared are you to convince me that you are from EOCO?” Kasim questioned.
He maintained that the MP was not opposed to cooperating with investigations but insisted that proper procedures should be followed when law enforcement agencies deal with a sitting Member of Parliament.
Kasim further said the MP had previously responded to EOCO invitations through representatives from his law firm, challenging suggestions that he had simply refused to cooperate with the investigation.
“Nobody is against the MP availing himself for some investigations,” he said.
He argued that the attempted arrest could have been handled differently, particularly because the MP had just participated in court proceedings.
Kasim also linked the controversy to the wider national debate over recent drug-trafficking cases, arguing that the incident had shifted public attention away from those issues.
He, however, stressed that his position was not that politicians should be shielded from investigations, but that law enforcement agencies must follow due process regardless of the status of the individual involved.
“The law must be applied to everybody, equally, regardless of where you come from, your level or your status in general,” Kasim said.
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