The Economic and Organised Crime Office has mounted a firm institutional defence in the face of mounting criticism from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, asserting that its ongoing investigations into allegations involving Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple are both lawful and fully consistent with its statutory mandate.
In a strongly worded statement issued on April 9, 2026, the anti graft agency acknowledged the concerns raised by the chiefs regarding its handling of the high profile case, which centres on Dr Kwamigah Atokple, a member of the Council of State Ghana and proprietor of SESI EDEM Company Limited. The Office, however, rejected assertions of procedural impropriety, insisting that its actions remain firmly grounded in the law.
According to the release, the Economic and Organised Crime Office is currently investigating three distinct petitions lodged against the suspect and his company, each alleging involvement in gold related fraud schemes that reportedly follow a consistent operational pattern. The agency emphasised that these petitions collectively justify the scope and intensity of its investigative efforts.
Responding directly to allegations of overreach, the Office maintained that its processes have adhered strictly to legal standards, while cautioning that certain actors appear to be attempting to undermine or obstruct the course of justice. It suggested that individuals linked to SESI EDEM Company are projecting an image of being beyond the reach of the law, while simultaneously mobilising public and institutional sympathy to frustrate investigative progress.
The agency further disclosed that since November 2025, it has extended multiple opportunities to Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple to respond to the allegations and cooperate with investigators. Despite these overtures, EOCO asserts that the suspect has declined to engage constructively, instead resorting to political, traditional, and media platforms in what it describes as an effort to evade accountability.
Escalating the matter, the Economic and Organised Crime Office has formally declared the Council of State member a fugitive from justice, indicating that he is currently evading arrest and is believed to be within the Volta Region. The agency revealed that its Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit has been activated and tasked with locating and apprehending him.
In a public appeal, the Office called on citizens to provide credible information that could assist in his arrest, reiterating its position that the rule of law must prevail without exception or privilege.
This unfolding institutional clash follows sharp criticism from the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, which had earlier questioned EOCO’s conduct, referencing a recent High Court determination that reportedly found elements of the agency’s actions to have been undertaken without lawful authority. The chiefs urged the Office to respect judicial pronouncements and to pursue any disagreements through established legal channels.
Notwithstanding this judicial and traditional pushback, the Economic and Organised Crime Office has reaffirmed its resolve to proceed with the investigation, signalling that it will continue to pursue the matter until the suspect is brought before the courts to answer the allegations.
As the dispute deepens, the case is rapidly evolving into a broader test of institutional boundaries, legal authority, and the delicate balance between anti corruption enforcement and adherence to due process within Ghana’s governance framework.
