Madina MP and lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu has questioned the legal basis of the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) attempt to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah.
Sosu argued that an investigative agency cannot automatically resort to arrest simply because a person has failed to respond to an invitation, stressing that law enforcement must operate within established legal procedures.
Speaking on Asempa FM, the legislator said citizens are not legally required to assist investigative bodies merely because they have been invited for questioning.
“No citizen is under obligation to assist any investigative body in investigations,” he stated.
He said EOCO should instead rely on evidence and invoke the appropriate legal processes if it has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offence has been committed.
“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 clarified that his position does not seek to prevent EOCO or other law enforcement agencies from investigating suspected offences.
Rather, he said, investigative powers must be exercised in accordance with the law to protect the rights of citizens and prevent unnecessary disputes.
“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 maintained that law enforcement agencies must themselves comply with the procedures governing arrests and investigations.
“You can’t say someone has flouted the law, and you will also breach the procedure to effect an arrest,” he said.
Sosu consequently called for strict adherence to due process in the handling of the matter, arguing that compliance with the law by both citizens and state institutions would help prevent confrontations.
“Due processes must be followed. We must all follow the law and due process, and everything will be fine,” he urged.
