Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah secures release of passport from High Court

The High Court in Accra has granted an application by the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, for the release of his passport. The travel document had been held by the court as part of the bail conditions in an ongoing criminal trial where the lawmaker faces charges related to causing financial loss to the state and money laundering. Justice Charity Akosua Asem, presiding over Commercial Court 5, approved the request after the prosecution raised no objections to the adjustment of the MP's bail terms.

Legal counsel for the MP argued that the retention of the passport was unnecessary, asserting that Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah is not a flight risk due to his high-profile position as a representative of the people. The defense emphasized that the MP requires the document to fulfill his official parliamentary duties, which may involve international travel. Furthermore, they pointed out that under parliamentary regulations, consistent attendance at sittings is mandatory to avoid the potential forfeiture of a seat, making it highly unlikely that the lawmaker would attempt to evade the court process.

The Deputy Attorney-General, representing the state, did not oppose the application to release the passport. This lack of opposition facilitated a smooth proceeding, leading Justice Asem to grant the order and amend the previous bail conditions to allow the document to be returned from court custody. The decision effectively shifts the terms of his bail while ensuring the MP can remain mobile for state business.

While the passport has been released, the substantive case involving allegations of financial misconduct and money laundering continues to be heard before the court. This development allows Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah to maintain his legislative responsibilities without the travel restrictions previously imposed by the judicial process. The MP is expected to continue appearing for subsequent court dates as scheduled, with the modified bail conditions now in effect to ensure his presence throughout the remainder of the legal proceedings.