GBA Urges EOCO to Respect Due Process and Lawyers’ Rights
The Bar Association’s call follows an attempted arrest involving the Manhyia South MP at the Accra High Court
- GBA calls for fair law enforcement.
- The call follows an attempted arrest.
- Association stresses lawyers’ independence.
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and other state institutions to exercise their powers responsibly, fairly and in accordance with due process.
The call follows an attempted arrest of Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, at the Accra High Court.
The GBA said the incident, which occurred while the MP was at the court acting as a lawyer for a client, raised concerns about due process, professional independence and respect for the rights of legal practitioners.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 25, the Association also expressed concern over videos circulating from the incident. In the footage, lawyer Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa is seen complaining that he was assaulted by an EOCO officer involved in the attempted arrest.
The GBA stressed that although no individual is above the law, enforcement actions involving lawyers must comply with constitutional protections and established legal procedures.
It cautioned that actions perceived as bypassing these safeguards could create an atmosphere of intimidation and discourage lawyers from carrying out their professional responsibilities.
According to the Association, lawyers play an important role in the administration of justice and the protection of citizens’ rights. It therefore warned that interference with their professional duties could undermine public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.
The GBA also referred to previous concerns raised by its President about the treatment of lawyers while performing their professional duties, including cases involving the arrest or what the Association described as regrettable treatment of legal practitioners.
Against this backdrop, the Association called on EOCO and other relevant state institutions to ensure that their actions are guided by due process, fairness and respect for the rights of all persons.
“The rule of law demands not only that justice be done, but that it be seen to be done,” the GBA said.
It added that protecting the independence of the legal profession remains essential to the functioning of a democratic society and the rule of law.
