Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah Charged Over GH"9.85 Million Financial Loss at SIC Life

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has been formally charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, intentionally causing financial loss to a public body, and money laundering. The charges, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General on October 3, 2026, follow an extensive investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) into a GH₵9.85 million loss at SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited. Mr. Awuah, who voluntarily surrendered to authorities on October 1, has pleaded not guilty to all counts and was granted bail in the sum of GH₵10 million.

The state's case centers on allegations that in 2024, while serving as legal counsel for SIC Life, Mr. Awuah conspired with the company’s then-Managing Director to dissipate funds through a settlement involving Eco Swiss Investment Limited. The prosecution claims the transaction included a disputed property sale and a subsequent transfer of GH₵1 million to the Managing Director, which the state asserts was acquired through criminal means. Conversely, Mr. Awuah's defense team maintains that the transaction was a legitimate legal settlement and argues that the funds in question do not constitute a loss to a public body.

The legal proceedings have sparked a sharp political divide and concerns over judicial independence. Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), admitted on JoyNews that he personally instructed the EOCO to arrest the MP, citing Mr. Awuah's alleged refusal to honor previous invitations. This claim was met with strong condemnation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP's Communications Director, described Gbande's involvement as a clear case of "selective justice" and an attempt to exert political influence over law enforcement agencies.

Parliament has also expressed formal concern regarding the MP's treatment, specifically questioning the necessity of his overnight detention after he had voluntarily presented himself to EOCO. The legislature emphasized the need for fairness and restraint, announcing plans to review constitutional frameworks regarding the detention and prosecution of sitting MPs to prevent potential political excesses. Other opposition figures, including Nhyiaeso MP Dr. Stephen Amoah, have issued warnings against what they term "wrongful arrests" of political opponents.

Mr. Awuah is scheduled to return to court for further appearances on October 26 and November 2, 2026. The case is expected to serve as a significant touchstone for legal standards involving corporate settlements in state-linked financial institutions and the boundaries of political authority over independent investigative bodies. As the trial proceeds, the focus remains on whether the transaction was a legitimate exercise of legal duty or a coordinated effort to misappropriate public funds.