Private legal practitioner and host of Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has raised serious concerns about respect for judicial authority following actions taken by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in an ongoing investigation involving a member of the Council of State.
Speaking on his programme, Anyenini questioned the conduct of EOCO after a High Court ruling appeared to contradict the agency’s public stance on the matter involving Gabriel T. K. A. Kwamigah-Atokple.
The case centres on a commercial transaction between Sesi-Edem Company Limited, owned by Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple, and JG Resources Ltd over the supply of gold, which EOCO had earlier described as unlicensed.
However, Anyenini cited a March 19, 2026 ruling by the High Court in Adenta, presided over by Richard Apietu, which reportedly found the matter to be civil rather than criminal and dismissed allegations of fraud and money laundering.
He noted that the court also ruled that EOCO failed to comply with provisions of its governing law, Act 804, particularly regarding the confirmation of a freezing order within the required timeframe, leading to the defreezing of the company’s accounts.
Despite the ruling, EOCO subsequently issued a public notice declaring Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple a person of interest and indicating intentions to arrest him—an action Anyenini argued raises constitutional and legal concerns.
He stressed that decisions of a competent court must be respected unless overturned on appeal, warning that failure to do so risks undermining the rule of law and weakening public confidence in state institutions.
According to him, such developments could set a troubling precedent where investigative bodies act beyond their legal limits, potentially eroding democratic governance.
Anyenini also raised concerns about the reputational impact on individuals involved, describing the situation as potentially damaging and cautioning against actions that could be perceived as prejudicial.
He further noted that petitions have been submitted to relevant authorities, including the Presidency, calling for a review of EOCO’s conduct in the matter.
The development has sparked broader debate about the balance between anti-corruption efforts and adherence to due process, as well as the need for accountability among investigative institutions.
