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.
Counsel for the MP, Samuel Atta Akyea, urged the court to approve the request, arguing that his client had no intention of leaving the country.
He also drew the court's attention to parliamentary rules requiring MPs to attend sittings, warning that prolonged absence without written permission from the Speaker and a reasonable explanation could result in the loss of the legislator's seat.
Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution states that a Member of Parliament forfeits their seat if they are absent from 15 sittings without the Speaker's written permission and fail to provide a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, who represented the prosecution, did not oppose the application.
Presiding judge, Justice Charity Akosua Asem, subsequently granted 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 concerning 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, all his other bail conditions remain in force.
The trial is expected to continue....
