The Governing Board of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has ordered its management to fully comply with an interim injunction issued by the Adenta High Court, which bars all activities involving gold dealership company Sesi-Edem Company Limited.

The directive, contained in a letter dated April 22, 2026 and signed by Board Secretary Sedina Gbeve, follows a petition from the company accusing EOCO’s Acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, and his deputy, Ben Ndego, of abuse of office, unlawful investigation practices, and disregard for court orders.

The Board, chaired by former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo, acknowledged the ongoing legal dispute but stressed the importance of upholding the authority of the court.

It stated that EOCO must “ensure strict compliance with the orders of the High Court for the duration of the interim injunction.”

In a petition filed through its lawyers, Knightscild Chambers, Sesi-Edem Company Limited accused EOCO’s leadership of misconduct in the conduct of investigations into the firm.

However, after referring the complaint to its Legal Sub-Committee and reviewing relevant court rulings as well as internal reports, the Board concluded that there was no evidence of abuse of power.

“The Board did not find evidence of abuse of power on the part of the Acting Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director,” the statement said.

On the allegation of unlawful investigation, the Board declined to comment, noting that the issue is currently pending before the High Court. It explained that, “this specific issue is the subject of the Human Rights action pending before the High Court… and the Board has decided not to comment on it.”

The Board also withheld any position on claims that EOCO had disregarded court orders, indicating that the matter is still before the court and is linked to an appeal as well as an application for stay of execution.

However, it stressed that EOCO must continue to operate strictly within the law. In a letter addressed to Mawunyo Adzaho, the Board reaffirmed that “the Office remains committed to exercising its functions within the ambit of the EOCO Act, 2010 (Act 804) and the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

Meanwhile, Sesi-Edem Company Limited has rejected reports suggesting that EOCO is free to continue its investigations, insisting that the interim injunction remains valid and fully in force. The situation became more heated after EOCO publicly referred to the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, as a “fugitive.” However, in a subsequent affidavit filed before the court, the agency withdrew that description, clarifying that no official “wanted” notice had been issued against him.

EOCO explained that its earlier statement formed part of a general press release issued in response to media reports and should not be taken as an official declaration.

In a further development, the presiding judge, Justice Aboagye Rockson, has recused himself from the case and adjourned proceedings indefinitely. He directed that the interlocutory injunction application be reassigned to the earlier judge, Justice Richard Apietu, to ensure consistency in adjudication.

The matter remains before the court, with both sides continuing to challenge the legality of EOCO’s actions and the scope of its investigative powers.