The Volta Region House of Chiefs has condemned Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office for what it calls a blatant disregard of a High Court ruling involving a Council of State member, warning that no institution is above the law.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the traditional authority expressed deep concern over the anti-corruption agency’s handling of its case against Dr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, the Volta Region’s representative on the Council of State.
A High Court has already ruled that EOCO acted without lawful mandate and violated constitutional principles of fairness in the matter, according to the chiefs’ statement. But the House alleges that Kwamigah-Atokple has reported that EOCO continues to pursue its investigation and publicly question the judgment.
“Such conduct is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law,” the House said.
The chiefs noted that if EOCO disagreed with the ruling, the proper course was to pursue appellate processes through the courts, not to take actions that appear to challenge judicial authority.
“Resorting instead to actions that appear to disregard the authority of the Court amounts to conduct that interferes with the administration of justice and undermines public confidence in the legal system,” the statement read.
The House strongly condemned EOCO’s posture in the matter, calling it “a troubling affront to administrative justice and to the constitutional order of the Republic.”
EOCO has not yet responded to requests for comment on the House’s allegations.
The Volta Region House of Chiefs called on the anti-corruption agency to act with restraint and demonstrate full respect for the courts and the rule of law.
“The decisions of our courts must be respected under all circumstances,” the House said. “No institution or public office, regardless of its mandate, is above the law.”
The statement was signed by Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, president of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
