What began as a routine bail application hearing at the Accra High Court on Wednesday descended into dramatic scenes when security operatives, believed to be from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), attempted to arrest a lawyer, prompting a chaotic confrontation that was captured on video and has since gone viral.
The incident occurred after a hearing in the case of Salomey Baffoe Awiti, a Techiman-based nurse detained in connection with the Ghana Jollof TikTok account.
Her lawyers, including Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, had been at the court to seek bail for their client, who has been remanded for two weeks.
In the circulating footage, a woman identified as a security officer is seen standing at the entrance of a car as the MP attempts to get in. The two exchange words before a scuffle breaks out. A heavily built man believed to be part of the lawyer’s team then opens the car door, pushes the woman aside, and allows the MP to drive off.
As the vehicle pulls away, the woman appears to make another attempt to stop it, nearly getting run over. Moments later, another vehicle, believed to belong to the security personnel, follows the MP’s car in what appears to be a pursuit.
Other reports suggest the MP had requested to know the woman’s identity and the reason for the arrest before the situation escalated.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain unclear. It is not yet known whether the security personnel were EOCO operatives or whether they were attempting to arrest the lawyer.
The incident raises questions about the conduct of security operatives at court premises and the protocols governing arrests of legal practitioners.
The High Court has adjourned the bail application hearing to September 24, following a request by the prosecution for additional time to respond to the defence’s application.
As the video continues to circulate, calls are growing for clarity on what transpired and whether the attempted arrest was lawful. The Ghana Bar Association has not yet to comment on the incident.