Lawyer Samson Lardy Ayenini criticizes EOCO's conduct in Council of State member case

Renowned legal practitioner Samson Lardy Ayenini has supported the Volta Regional House of Chiefs in their call for the Economic and Organised Crime Office EOCO to adhere to the rule of law in its dealings with Council of State member Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah Atokple. Speaking on April 11, 2026, Ayenini described EOCO’s conduct as “a chilling masterclass in institutional lawlessness,” arguing that the state agency acted as though it were above the laws it enforces. He highlighted EOCO's failure to confirm its account-freezing order within the mandatory 14-day window as stipulated by Act 804. Ayenini also criticized EOCO’s response to a court intervention, calling it “breathtaking defiance” for issuing a press release labeling an individual as a “person of interest” and threatening arrest, rather than respecting the court’s ruling. He warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for governance and the justice system. The Volta Regional House of Chiefs had previously expressed similar concerns on April 7, 2026, condemning EOCO’s continued actions despite a High Court ruling that found the agency acted without lawful mandate and in violation of constitutional principles. They urged EOCO to respect due process and pursue lawful appellate procedures if dissatisfied, rather than undermining public confidence in Ghana’s justice system.