On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, EOCO operatives attempted to take Baffour Awuah into custody on the court premises right after he stepped out of a courtroom.

He was at the premises acting as defense counsel for a client in the high-profile “Ghana Jollof” case.

Baffour Awuah demanded an arrest warrant and refused to follow the operatives.

The situation degenerated into a physical confrontation before he managed to drive away.

EOCO stated that the enforcement action was initiated because Baffour Awuah had allegedly failed to honour two formal invitations sent to him earlier in the year to assist with an ongoing investigation.

The GBA’s statement dated September 24, 2026, jointly signed by its National President, Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour, highlighted several crucial points regarding the administration of justice.

The association said it had also taken note of videos of the attempted arrest in which another lawyer, Enoch Anwere Afoakwa, was seen complaining of being assaulted by the EOCO personnel who attempted to effect the arrest.

The association stressed that while no individual is above the law, law enforcement must respect the professional independence of legal practitioners, especially when they are actively representing clients in a court of law.

Executing arrests within court premises disrupts judicial operations and undermines the authority and dignity of the courts.

The GBA has admonished state authorities to discharge their duties responsibly, fairly, and strictly within the framework of the 1992 Constitution. 

The GBA said while no individual was above the law, investigations or enforcement actions involving members of the legal profession, especially when they were representing clients, had to be conducted in accordance with the Constitution, applicable legal procedures and respect for professional independence.

The association said lawyers played a role in the administration of justice and the protection of the rights of citizens.

It said any action that appeared to interfere with lawyers’ ability to discharge their professional duties, particularly through arbitrary or irregular measures, risked undermining public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law.

The GBA recalled remarks made by its President at the 2025 annual conference in Wa, where she had said lawyers should be at liberty to defend clients of their choice without being heckled.

“The Bar must never waiver in its role as the voice of the voiceless. Unfortunately, recent incidents affecting lawyers in the performance of their duties, have left much to be desired,” the statement read.

“Lawyers should be at liberty to defend clients of their choice without being heckled,” it added.

The GBA also recalled an incident involving a former Vice-President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo, and his female associate, who had gone to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to defend a client.

It said the two lawyers had been arrested and detained overnight, while the female lawyer, who was a nursing mother, had been separated from her baby and was initially unable to feed the child.

It said the incident had raised questions about the treatment of lawyers who were performing their professional duties.

“Recently, a former Vice President of the Bar, Justice Minka Premo and his young female associate, who had gone to the defence of a client at BNI, were subjected to such regrettable treatment,” it read.

The GBA called on EOCO and other relevant state institutions and agencies to ensure that their actions were consistent with due process, fairness and respect for the rights of all persons involved.

“The rule of law demands not only that justice be done, but that it be seen to be done,” the association said.

It said the independence of the legal profession was a cornerstone of every democratic society and had to be protected at all times.