Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has rejected reports that he was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), describing the claims as completely false.
The former National Lottery Authority (NLA) Director-General addressed the reports in a video posted on social media on Sunday, August 16, showing him in Kumasi alongside well-known National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathiser Appiah Stadium.
According to Mr Awuku, the claim that he was taken into custody on Saturday, August 15, could not be true because he was in the Eastern Region attending the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) regional elections.
He questioned the basis of the reports and pointed to his public appearance in Kumasi as evidence that he had not been detained.
“Claims that I was arrested on Saturday are completely false,” he said, adding that he participated in the party’s regional elections on Saturday before travelling to Kumasi on Sunday.
Reports circulating on Saturday had alleged that EOCO had detained Mr Awuku in connection with investigations into suspected financial irregularities and other transactions dating back to his time at the NLA.
The reported detention was said to be part of broader investigations into activities at the state lottery institution during his tenure.
Mr Awuku, however, has firmly denied the allegation and made no indication that he had been taken into custody by the anti-corruption agency.
His appearance in Kumasi on Sunday has since raised questions about the accuracy of the reports of his alleged arrest.
The Akuapem North MP maintained that the reports were untrue, using his presence in Kumasi to directly challenge claims that he had been detained by EOCO.
