No citizen is under obligation to assist EOCO in investigations – NDC MP defends Baffour Awuah
by Gabs · MyNewsGh.comMadina MP Francis-Xavier Sosu has criticised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over its attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, insisting that investigative agencies must follow due process when dealing with citizens.
The lawmaker, also a lawyer, said failure to honour an invitation from an investigative body does not, by itself, give the agency the right to arrest someone.
“No citizen is under obligation to assist any investigative body in investigations,” he stated on Asempa FM.
He said EOCO should rely on evidence and follow the proper legal procedure if it believes a person has committed an offence.
“If there is a complaint before you and you believe you have evidence to place the person under an arrest, go ahead. You can’t say you invited the person, and for a long time, it hasn’t been honoured so you go ahead to make arrest,” he said.
Sosu stressed that his position was not against law enforcement agencies performing their duties, but against procedures that do not comply with the law.
“Nobody is saying law enforcement agencies shouldn’t do their work, but it should be in accordance with the law. Why is the person your boyfriend or girlfriend for you to say you invited the person and the invitation was not honoured?” he questioned.
He further argued that an agency cannot accuse a citizen of breaking the law while also failing to follow the required procedure in effecting an arrest.
“You can’t say someone has flouted the law, and you will also breach the procedure to effect an arrest,” he said.
Sosu called for strict adherence to due process to prevent unnecessary confrontations between law enforcement agencies and citizens.
“Due processes must be followed. We must all follow the law and due process, and everything will be fine,” he urged.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
Thanks for reading from MyNewsGH as a news publishing website from Ghana. You are free to share this story via the various social media platforms and follow us on; Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram etc.