Omanghana
The Member of Parliament for Suame and Legal Counsel to the Minority in Parliament, John Darko, has condemned recent enforcement actions by the Economic and Organized Crime Office, insisting that lawyers should not be endangered for representing their clients.
His comments followed reports that EOCO officers attempted to arrest the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South on court premises, sparking concerns within the legal community about due process and the procedures governing arrests.
Speaking on September 23, 2026, Mr. Darko said legal practitioners must be allowed to perform their professional and constitutional responsibilities without intimidation, harassment or threats to their safety.
“Defending clients should never imperil a lawyer,” he stated.
Mr. Darko explained that lawyers represent their clients within the boundaries of the law and should not be treated as enemies merely because of the cases they handle.
He also shared an account involving a colleague who reportedly suffered a severe stroke after winning a land dispute. According to him, an elderly opposing party had warned the lawyer that he would never return to the courtroom. Mr. Darko said the lawyer suffered the stroke the following day and had remained bedridden for two years.
He further referred to a separate incident in which a lawyer was reportedly shot and killed shortly after securing bail for a client. He said such cases demonstrate the growing risks confronting members of the legal profession.
Mr. Darko consequently advised lawyers to remain conscious of their personal security and avoid treating clients’ cases as personal battles.
“Stay security-conscious, stay spiritually alert. Never die for a case you have no personal stake in,” he cautioned.
The Suame MP has previously criticized EOCO’s operational methods, including bail conditions imposed on some suspects. In July 2026, he accused the anti-graft agency of becoming politically influenced following the arrests of some politically exposed individuals.
The latest incident has renewed debate about the need for law-enforcement agencies to carry out their duties while respecting court procedures, the rights of suspects and the professional responsibilities of lawyers.
Source: Omanghana
