A major institutional dispute has erupted after the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, Gabriel T.K.A. Kwamigah-Atokple, accused the leadership of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of abuse of power, defying a court ruling, and tarnishing reputations.
In a detailed statement dated March 30, 2026, Kwamigah-Atokple demanded that EOCO’s Acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, issue a public apology immediately or face legal action.
He has also petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to remove both Archer and his deputy, citing repeated abuse of office.
The dispute traces back to November 2025, when EOCO launched an investigation into Sesi-Edem Company Limited, a firm founded by Kwamigah-Atokple, over allegations of fraud and money laundering linked to a commercial transaction with JG Resources Ltd.
On November 19, 2025, EOCO requested that the company’s Managing Director appear before the agency and provide documents including contracts, proof of payments, and records of gold delivered under the agreement. The following day, EOCO ordered the freezing of the company’s bank accounts under powers granted by the EOCO Act, directing financial institutions to halt withdrawals until the investigation was completed.
Kwamigah-Atokple insists that the company fully complied with all requests. Legal representatives submitted the required documents, acknowledged by EOCO, and the Managing Director appeared on December 3, 2025, providing a written statement and being interviewed by investigators.
According to Kwamigah-Atokple, the matter revolves around a commercial gold supply contract with JG Resources Ltd covering June 2025 to June 2026. By November 2025, at least 58% of the gold had been delivered—a fact confirmed by both the complainant and EOCO. He argues that there was no legal or factual basis to allege fraud regarding the remaining balance and rejects EOCO’s claim that the transaction was unlicensed, stating the company held all necessary approvals.
The case culminated in a ruling by the High Court, Adentan, on March 19, 2026, which found that EOCO had acted without legal authority and in violation of constitutional principles of fairness. The court ordered the immediate defreezing of the company’s accounts, declaring the matter civil in nature and properly under the jurisdiction of civil courts rather than criminal investigation.
Despite the ruling, Kwamigah-Atokple claims EOCO has continued its investigation and publicly challenged the judgment. He further alleges that Archer engaged in “media theatrics” by labeling him a wanted person without following proper procedures.
Describing EOCO’s conduct as reckless and bordering on contempt of court, Kwamigah-Atokple said the agency has prioritized public sensationalism over lawful enforcement under Archer’s leadership.
In a significant escalation, he has formally petitioned President Mahama to remove Archer and his deputy, citing abuse of authority, disregard for judicial rulings, and misuse of EOCO’s powers to damage reputations rather than enforce the law.
Kwamigah-Atokple has given EOCO a 12-hour ultimatum to retract statements and issue a full public apology, warning that failure to comply will result in immediate legal action to protect his reputation, business, and the authority of the courts.
“Restraint is not weakness,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the law while remaining prepared to act decisively if provoked.
EOCO and Raymond Archer have not issued an official response to the allegations.
