'No one is above the law' – EOCO declares Council of State member a fugitive as Volta Chiefs cry foul

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, accusing the anti-corruption agency of persistent harassment and open defiance of a High Court ruling in its pursuit of Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, the region's representative on the Council of State.

In an official statement signed by the President of the House, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, the chiefs expressed serious misgivings over what they described as EOCO's improper conduct and apparent disregard for judicial authority.

The statement cited a recent High Court ruling in a matter between EOCO and Dr Kwamigah-Atokple, in which the court determined that EOCO had acted without lawful mandate and in violation of constitutional principles of fairness in handling the case. According to the chiefs, the decision of the court was clear and unequivocal.

Yet, the statement noted, EOCO continued to pursue actions which openly challenged and defied the authority of the court by maintaining its investigations and publicly questioning the judgement.

"The VRHC wishes to state, without equivocation, that such conduct is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law," the statement maintained.

Appellate processes available

The House said that if EOCO was dissatisfied with the ruling of the court, the proper course available to it was to invoke the appellate processes of the courts. Resorting instead to actions that appeared to disregard the authority of the court amounted to conduct that interfered with the administration of justice, the statement said.

"The decisions of our courts must be respected under all circumstances, and no institution or public office, regardless of its mandate, is above the law," the statement pointed out.

The House strongly condemned the posture adopted by EOCO in the matter, saying the apparent disregard for judicial authority represented a troubling affront to administrative justice and to the constitutional order of the Republic.

It called on EOCO to act with restraint and to demonstrate full respect for the authority of the courts and the principles that governed the rule of law.

"The VRHC remains committed to the defence of justice, due process, and the integrity of Ghana's constitutional institutions," the statement concluded.

EOCO fires back

In a swift response, EOCO issued its own statement rejecting the chiefs' characterisation of the matter. The anti-corruption agency disclosed that it is currently handling three petitions against Dr Kwamigah-Atokple and his company, Sesi-Edem Company Ltd, all bordering on allegations of gold fraud that appear to follow the same pattern.

EOCO assured the public that the Office stands firm and is conducting its work perfectly within its mandate and according to law.

The Office believes that what is currently unfolding is rather a case of the promoters of Sesi-Edem Company believing that and acting as if they are above the law whilst building a coalition to actively obstruct investigations and justice.

It said ince November 2025, the Office has accorded the suspect and his company the opportunity to come prove their innocence of the alleged crimes. "They have rather unfortunately refused to submit to the investigations and is seeking to use politics, tradition, and media campaign as a refuge".

Fugitive on the run

EOCO has declared Dr Kwamigah-Atokple a fugitive from justice who is on the run and believed to be hiding in the Volta Region. The agency disclosed that its Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit has deployed its assets to locate, identify and arrest the fugitive.

"The Office wants to assure the public that NO ONE is above the law and that the fugitive will be brought before the law," the statement read.

EOCO urged any person with information about the whereabouts of the said fugitive to contact the nearest EOCO Office.

Conference of Presiding Members joins fray

In a related development, the Conference of Presiding Members of Municipal and District Assemblies in the Volta Region has expressed similar concern, saying it would not sit aside and look on unconcerned while certain individuals and institutions embarked on a deliberate campaign to malign the region's representative on the Council of State.