Lawyers for Sesi-Edem Company Limited, a licensed gold dealer in Ghana, have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), accusing officials of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of conflict of interest, abuse of office and unlawful exercise of statutory powers in an ongoing fraud and money laundering investigation.
The petition, addressed to CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal, alleges that EOCO’s leadership acted under improper external influence in freezing the company’s bank accounts and handling the case.
The lawyers claim that a private individual, identified as David Tamakloe, who has no official role at EOCO, influenced the agency’s actions, including the freezing of the company’s accounts. They further allege that EOCO officials shared confidential information with him and used him as a conduit to issue demands and threats to the company.
According to the petition, this conduct placed EOCO’s leadership in a position of conflict between their personal interests and official duties.
The lawyers also argue that EOCO acted outside its mandate in treating what they describe as a commercial dispute as a criminal matter.
The case stems from a petition filed in November 2025 by JG Resources Ltd, in collaboration with Unigold Trading LLC, alleging that Sesi-Edem Company fraudulently obtained funds under the pretext of supplying 50 kilograms of gold valued at GH¢57.7 million.
EOCO subsequently launched an investigation into alleged offences including defrauding by false pretences and money laundering. The agency said preliminary findings indicated that the company’s bank account contained suspected proceeds of crime, leading to the freezing of the account in November and December 2025. The action was later confirmed by the High Court on January 30, 2026.
EOCO has maintained that the investigation remains ongoing and that neither the company nor its owner, Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, has been formally charged. The anti-corruption agency said its actions were based on preliminary findings suggesting the accounts contained suspected proceeds of crime.
In a public statement, EOCO said Dr Kwamigah-Atokple is a person of interest who failed to honour an invitation issued in November 2025 and is currently wanted to assist with investigations. The agency also indicated that it may use lawful means to locate and compel persons of interest to assist with its probe.
However, the company’s lawyers dispute this, stating in the petition that no invitation was served on Dr Kwamigah-Atokple and that the company’s Managing Director responded to EOCO and provided statements.
They also argue that JG Resources’ claim was misleading, insisting that under the terms of the agreement, the deadline for delivery of the gold was June 5, 2026.
The petition further cites a High Court ruling delivered on March 19, 2026, which found that EOCO acted outside its statutory mandate and in breach of the company’s right to administrative justice. The court ordered the defreezing of the company’s accounts.
Despite the ruling, EOCO has indicated it will continue its investigation, maintaining that the review did not fully consider provisions under Section 38 of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, which allows for the preservation of suspected proceeds of crime while investigations are ongoing.
The lawyers, however, describe this position as a defiance of judicial authority and an abuse of power.
They also allege that EOCO’s actions appear to favour JG Resources Ltd, despite separate complaints filed against the company, including allegations of forged contracts and ongoing contempt proceedings in another High Court matter.
The lawyers are asking CHRAJ to investigate the conduct of EOCO officials, the alleged external influence in the case, and any disclosure of official information to unauthorised persons. They are also seeking sanctions where necessary and measures to prevent a recurrence.
