Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah Granted GH¢10 Million Bail Amidst GH¢9.85 Million Financial Loss Case

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million by an Accra High Court after pleading not guilty to charges of causing financial loss to the state. The MP faces three primary charges, including conspiracy to commit crime and money laundering, totaling an alleged loss of GH¢9.85 million to the public purse. The legal action stems from his prior role as a solicitor for SIC Life Savings and Loans Company, where he was reportedly involved in recovery efforts and financial transactions that have come under intense state scrutiny.

The MP’s legal troubles reached a climax on October 1, 2026, when he voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following the issuance of a High Court arrest warrant. His subsequent detention by EOCO became a flashpoint for political debate, prompting the Office to dismiss rumors that it had initially demanded a GH¢50 million bail surety. During the proceedings, the prosecution did not oppose the eventual bail application but insisted on stringent conditions to ensure the lawmaker’s continued availability for the trial.

Parliamentary leadership reacted strongly to the MP's detention, with Speaker Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin expressing grave concern over the exercise of arrest powers against sitting members. Speaker Bagbin emphasized the need to protect parliamentary independence and constitutional rights, suggesting that the handling of the case required a review of procedures to prevent political bias. Similarly, Ofoase/Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah warned that the prolonged detention of a cooperating suspect set a ‘dangerous precedent’ for Ghana’s democratic integrity, arguing for less punitive measures such as self-recognizance.

In her ruling, Justice Charity Akosua Asem mandated that the GH¢10 million bail be supported by two sureties, both of whom are fellow Members of Parliament representing the Bosome Freho and Effia constituencies. As part of the bail conditions, Baffour Awuah must deposit his passport with the court and report to EOCO as required. The court has set October 22, 2026, as the deadline for the prosecution to file all necessary disclosures, with a Case Management Conference scheduled for November 2, 2026, to outline the future of the trial.