Manhyia South MP allowed to retrieve passport as court varies bail terms

The High Court in Accra has varied the bail conditions of Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, allowing him to retrieve his passport from the court registry. The Commercial Court 5 Division granted the application on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during proceedings in the MP’s trial over allegations of causing financial loss to the state and money laundering.

His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, urged the court to approve the request, arguing that his client had no intention of fleeing the country. He also cited parliamentary rules requiring MPs to attend sittings, warning that prolonged absence without the Speaker’s written permission and a reasonable explanation could put the legislator’s seat at risk. Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution provides that an MP shall vacate their seat if they are absent from 15 sittings of Parliament without the Speaker’s written permission and are unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Privileges Committee.

Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who represented the prosecution, did not oppose the application. Justice Charity Akosua Asem subsequently approved the request, removing the requirement for the MP’s passport to remain in the custody of the court registry. Mr Awuah is standing trial over allegations relating to his handling of a legal case involving SIC Life Savings and Loans Company Limited.

He faces charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically the intentional dissipation of public funds, intentionally causing financial loss to a public body, and money laundering. The MP voluntarily surrendered to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on October 1, 2026, following a High Court warrant issued on September 30, 2026. Although the latest ruling allows him to retrieve his passport, he remains subject to the other bail conditions.

The trial is expected to continue.