Volta Chiefs Condemn EOCO, Rise for Gabriel Tanko

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has strongly condemned the posture of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over its handling of matters involving the region’s representative on the Council of State, Dr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple.

In a statement issued on April 7, President of the House, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, criticised EOCO for what the chiefs describe as a disregard for judicial authority following a High Court ruling on the matter.

They stressed that court decisions must be respected under all circumstances, adding that no institution or public office is above the law.

“If EOCO was dissatisfied with the ruling of the Court, the lawful and proper course available to it was to invoke the appellate processes,” the statement said.

“Resorting instead to actions that appear to disregard the authority of the Court amounts to conduct that interferes with the administration of justice and undermines public confidence in the legal system.”

The statement follows a High Court ruling which, according to the House, found that EOCO had acted without lawful mandate and in violation of constitutional principles of fairness in its handling of the case.

The House also cited allegations by Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple that EOCO has continued its investigative actions despite the court’s decision, and has publicly questioned the judgment.

Describing such conduct as unacceptable in a constitutional democracy, the chiefs said the “apparent disregard for judicial authority represents a troubling affront to administrative justice and the constitutional order of the Republic.”

They called on EOCO to exercise restraint and demonstrate full respect for the authority of the courts and the rule of law.

“The Volta Regional House of Chiefs remains committed to the defence of justice, due process, and the integrity of Ghana’s constitutional institutions,” the statement added.

The chiefs’ intervention follows EOCO’s declaration of Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple as a person of interest in an ongoing investigation into an alleged multi-million-cedi gold fraud and money laundering scheme.

In a statement dated March 30, 2026, EOCO said the investigation stems from a petition filed in November 2025 by J.G. Resources Ltd in collaboration with Unigold Trading LLC.

The petition alleges that Sesi-Edem Company Limited fraudulently obtained gold valued at GH¢57,759,594.68 under false pretences.

EOCO said investigations are being conducted under the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804), the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).

According to the agency, Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple was invited in November 2025 to assist with investigations but failed to honour the invitation.

Preliminary findings, EOCO noted, suggest that bank accounts belonging to Sesi-Edem Company Limited may contain proceeds of crime.

The accounts were subsequently frozen on January 30, 2026, to prevent the dissipation of suspected illicit funds.

The company later challenged the freezing order in court on February 12, 2026, seeking its revocation. EOCO, however, maintains that the action was necessary to safeguard funds believed to be linked to criminal activity.

The Office emphasised that neither the company nor its directors have been formally charged, and that investigations remain ongoing.

EOCO further indicated that efforts to secure the cooperation of the company’s directors have been unsuccessful, warning that it will resort to all lawful means to locate and arrest persons connected to the case if necessary.

The development comes amid increased scrutiny of Ghana’s gold trading sector, with regulators under pressure to clamp down on fraud, illicit financial flows, and non-compliance.