The High Court has granted Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah bail in the sum of GH¢10 million with two sureties as investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) into alleged financial offences continue.

The court ruled that the MP could not be considered a flight risk but directed him to remain available to investigators and comply with all court processes.

The bail application followed arguments between the MP’s counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, over the conditions under which the legislator should be released.

Mr Atta Akyea had urged the court to grant the MP bail on his own recognisance, arguing that his position as a sitting MP and his profession as a lawyer made it unlikely that he would abscond.

According to the defence, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, at about 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his lawyers.

He was subsequently detained and questioned for about eight hours, while investigators also conducted searches at his residence and office under warrants issued by the High Court.

The defence argued that the MP’s voluntary appearance and cooperation with investigators demonstrated his willingness to assist with the probe and undermined any suggestion that he posed a flight risk.

Mr Atta Akyea also disputed the prosecution’s characterisation of a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, insisting that the transaction arose from a commercial dispute and should not be described as the dissipation of GH¢9.85 million.

He explained that the MP’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans.

The recovery process resulted in litigation over the attachment of a property believed to belong to the judgment debtor. However, a third party subsequently claimed ownership of the property, leading to further legal proceedings.

According to the defence, the third party later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, with the resulting terms subsequently filed before a competent court.

Mr Atta Akyea maintained that the settlement involved the resolution of a commercial dispute and payment of legal fees and therefore did not amount to the alleged dissipation of funds.

In arguing for bail, the defence also cited previous criminal cases involving sitting MPs, including Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda.

The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, however, opposed the defence’s account of the MP’s cooperation with investigators and urged the court to impose conditions that would guarantee his continued availability.

He told the court that EOCO first invited Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah in February 2026 and subsequently made further attempts to secure his attendance.

Dr Srem-Sai also referred to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23 and an arrest warrant issued by the High Court on September 30.

He argued that these developments should be taken into consideration when determining the conditions for the MP’s release.

After considering the arguments from both sides, the court granted Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, both of whom are his parliamentary colleagues.

The court further directed the MP to remain available to EOCO investigators and to attend the next court proceedings.

He is expected to appear before the court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

The case forms part of an ongoing EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

The allegations under investigation include criminal conspiracy, causing financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and the investigation is ongoing.