BY DANIEL BAMPOE
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has broken his silence over reports that he was arrested and detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), describing the claims as completely false.
Awuku, a former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), dismissed the reports in a video shared on social media on Sunday, August 16, 2026, in which he appeared in Kumasi alongside National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathiser Appiah Stadium.
The MP questioned how he could have been arrested on Saturday, August 15, when he was actively participating in the New Patriotic Party’s regional executive elections in the Eastern Region.
“Claims that I was arrested on Saturday are completely false. Yesterday we had our regional elections, and today, Sunday, I am here in Kumasi,” Awuku said.
His comments follow reports circulating in political and media circles that EOCO had taken him into custody over alleged corruption and financial irregularities connected to his tenure as Director-General of the NLA.
The reports suggested that his alleged detention formed part of investigations into financial transactions and other dealings at the state lottery authority, although no official confirmation of such an arrest has been publicly established.
Awuku’s public appearance in Kumasi on Sunday has therefore thrown considerable doubt on the reported arrest, with the Akuapem North MP using his physical presence to directly challenge the narrative that he had been taken into EOCO custody.
The development comes against the backdrop of growing political tensions between the governing NDC administration and leading figures of the opposition NPP.
Sammi Awuku has in recent months become one of the more vocal opposition MPs criticising aspects of the Mahama administration, including its handling of the economy, fuel prices, electricity tariffs, flooding and the activities of state investigative agencies
His previous position as NLA Director-General has also placed his tenure under scrutiny amid broader investigations and public debates concerning the management of state institutions and financial transactions.
However, the latest reports of an arrest remain unsubstantiated based on Awuku’s account. The MP himself said he had not been arrested and used his activities over the weekend as evidence to rebut the claim.
The controversy nevertheless raises renewed questions about whether EOCO has any ongoing investigation involving the former NLA boss and whether he has been formally invited by the institution.
