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Baffour Awuah, the former Employment and Labour Minister, is currently under legal scrutiny after appearing in court with two others over the violent incidents that led to the tragic death of Kotoko supporter Francis Frimpong, known as Pooley.

Speaking on Sporty FM, Alagidede defended Baffour Awuah, describing him as a dedicated football fan and a long-time supporter of Asante Kotoko.

He expressed confidence that Baffour Awuah would never encourage harm towards the club.

“The Ignatius Baffour Awuah I know is passionate about football. He always wants to win, but I don’t think he can even hurt a fly or incite violence,” Alagidede stated. “He is a known Kotoko fan and used to contribute to the club to help buy players. He is the last person who would want to harm Kotoko,” he added.

Baffour Awuah was granted bail on Tuesday, though he remains under travel restrictions.

In response to the violent incidents, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has suspended the match venue and charged Nsoatreman FC for their role in the disturbances.

Additionally, the GFA has suspended the Matchday 20 fixtures of the Ghana Premier League.

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As part of his bail conditions, the former Sunyani West MP, who is also the owner and financier of Nsoatreman Football Club (FC), cannot leave or travel outside the Sunyani Municipality without judicial approval.

The court, presided over by Eric Daning, gave the order when the former minister, 58, and two other suspects, Agyemang Duah Owusu, his bodyguard, and Joseph Kyeremeh, appeared before it on Tuesday.

They were in court for their alleged involvement in the tragic murder of Francis Frimpong, an ardent supporter of Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC, during a violent disturbance on Sunday, February 2, 2025, which resulted in Frimpong’s death.

The incident occurred when Nsoatreman FC hosted Kumasi Asante Kotoko FC in Matchday 19 of the Ghana Premier League at the Nsoatre Professor Amoah Koromansah II Stadium.

When the case was heard, the court charged Baffour-Awuah and Kyeremeh with “abetment to commit a crime, to wit murder” under Sections 20(1) and 46 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

They were granted bail of GH¢500,000 each, with one surety to be justified. However, Mr. Baffour-Awuah was ordered to submit his passport to the court registry for 14 days.

The court charged Owusu with murder and remanded him in police custody. The suspects will reappear in court on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Prosecuting, Inspector Alexander Oppong told the court that the suspects were involved in the murder of the deceased and prayed that they all be remanded in custody to assist with investigations.

He added that a search conducted in Owusu’s room led to the retrieval of two dresses with suspected blood stains and an MP 23 pistol with 15 rounds of ammunition.

However, defense counsel Moses Obah prayed the court to grant his clients bail, arguing that they were prominent personalities who would cooperate with police investigations.

The Ghana FA Cup champions are set to face the Chadian side in the first leg of the preliminary round this weekend at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In a motivational speech before the game, Baffour-Awuah emphasized the importance of a strong performance.

“Just make yourself proud by beating them convincingly in Accra so that the away game will just be a foregone conclusion,” he told 3Sports.

He also pointed out the advantage of Elect-Sport FC not playing on their home turf.

“Fortunately for us, they are not playing in their own country. They are playing in Yaoundé, which is the capital of Cameroon. So it will be like no man’s land. It is your performance that will determine whether you qualify or not.”

Baffour-Awuah set a clear target for the team: “So let’s take advantage of our first match. Win by a margin of at least 3-0. That is the measure. We should be able to win by at least 3-0. If we are able to do that, it will make the return journey a mere formality.”

The second leg will take place at a neutral venue in Cameroon since Elect-Sport FC’s home ground, the Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya in N’Djamena, does not meet CAF’s standards for hosting international matches.

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The club whipped off Tamale City in a Division One League Zone 1 playoff game at the Accra Sports Stadium to secure their first ever promotion to the top flight.

In a release from the club on Tuesday, 12 July, it said the board will be chaired by the owner of the club, Ignatius Baffour Awuah who doubles as the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations.

Also on the list is the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame, Osei Kyei- Mensah Bonsu. Former Minister of Youth and Sports and MP of Odododiodoo constituency, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

Other members include Joseph Cudjoe, George Ampaabeng Kyeremeh, Kingsley Antwi, Aziz Abubakar, Foriwaa Agnes and James Abu.

The club has also announced its new technical team to be headed by former Black Stars player, Mohammed Gargo.

Gargo penned a three year deal to replace Boniface Ayipah as head coach until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Nsoatreman Fc is expected to know their first opponent for next season when the fixtures are released on July 26, 2022.