The High Court has granted the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, GH¢10 million bail with two sureties following his arrest and interrogation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged financial crimes involving SIC Life Savings and Loans.

In granting the bail, the court held that the MP could not be considered a flight risk but directed him to remain available to investigators as investigations into the allegations against him continue.

The two sureties are both parliamentary colleagues of the embattled MP, who is expected to reappear before the court on October 26 and November 2, 2026, at 10 a.m., as proceedings in the case continue.

The bail application followed extensive legal arguments between the MP’s counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, and the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, over whether the circumstances surrounding the MP’s arrest and his conduct towards investigators justified his release on bail and the conditions to be imposed.

Mr Atta Akyea urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance, citing his status as a sitting Member of Parliament and a legal practitioner, as well as what he described as his voluntary cooperation with EOCO.

He told the court that Nana Baffour Awuah voluntarily reported to EOCO on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at approximately 10:43 a.m., accompanied by his lawyers, and remained at the premises for about eight hours, during which he was detained and subjected to further interrogation.

The defence further disclosed that EOCO had conducted searches at the MP’s residence and office under warrants obtained from the High Court, arguing that his willingness to submit himself to investigators and cooperate with the process demonstrated that he had no intention of evading justice.

However, the defence mounted a strong challenge to the substance of the allegations, particularly the claims surrounding a settlement involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, which investigators are examining as part of an alleged financial loss of GH¢9.85 million.

According to Mr Atta Akyea, the MP’s former law firm had been engaged to recover funds owed to SIC Savings and Loans by Equity Savings and Loans, a process that subsequently became embroiled in prolonged litigation over the attachment of property believed to belong to the judgment debtor.

The legal dispute, he explained, became more complicated when a third party emerged to claim ownership of the property, triggering further litigation. The claimant later approached the judgment creditor to negotiate a settlement, culminating in terms of settlement being filed before a competent court.

Mr Atta Akyea consequently rejected the characterisation of the transaction as the “dissipation” of GH¢9.85 million, insisting that it was a legitimate commercial settlement arising from litigation, alongside the payment of legal fees.

In further support of his application, the defence cited previous criminal cases involving serving and former Members of Parliament, including those of Abuga Pele, Mahama Ayariga, Cassiel Ato Forson and Collins Dauda, arguing that the MP’s parliamentary status and professional standing justified the grant of self-recognisance bail.

The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, however, opposed the defence’s position on the MP’s cooperation with investigators and urged the court to impose stringent bail conditions to ensure that he remained available to EOCO and the court throughout the investigation and subsequent proceedings.

Dr Srem-Sai disputed the assertion that Nana Baffour Awuah had consistently made himself available to investigative authorities, telling the court that EOCO first invited the MP in February 2026 and had made subsequent attempts to secure his attendance.

He also drew the court’s attention to an attempted arrest of the MP at the Accra High Court on September 23, 2026, and the subsequent issuance of an arrest warrant by the High Court on September 30, arguing that these developments were relevant in determining the appropriate conditions for his release.

Following the arguments, the court granted the MP GH¢10 million bail with two sureties, both of whom are his fellow MPs, while directing him to remain available to investigators and comply with the court’s orders.

The case is part of an ongoing EOCO investigation into alleged unauthorised financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, with the MP facing allegations that include criminal conspiracy, causing financial loss, money laundering and tax-related offences.

The allegations remain under investigation, and the MP has not been convicted of any offence.