The High Court has restrained the Economic and Organised Crime Office from declaring or maintaining directors of Sesi-Edem Company Limited as “wanted persons” over a gold transaction with JG Resources Ltd.
In an interim injunction issued on April 14, the Court barred EOCO, its officers, and agents from inviting, detaining, arresting, or charging the company’s directors in connection with the deal.
It also stopped EOCO from continuing any investigation tied to the matter.
Background:
Contract vs Criminal Allegations
The dispute stems from a November 2025 petition to EOCO by JG Resources Ltd.
The firm claimed Sesi-Edem had delivered only part of the gold it was contracted to supply.
But the contract’s delivery deadline is June 2026 — a fact EOCO itself admitted in court.
Despite this, EOCO opened a probe into alleged “defrauding by false pretences and money laundering” and froze Sesi-Edem’s accounts.
On March 19, 2026, the High Court at Adentan ruled there was no basis for fraud or money laundering allegations given the unexpired deadline and the company’s licensing records with the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and Ghana Gold Board.
The Court ordered EOCO to unfreeze the accounts, holding that the agency had acted outside its statutory mandate and breached the company’s right to administrative justice.
EOCO Defied Earlier Ruling
EOCO had originally gone to the same Adentan High Court to confirm its administrative freeze orders.
After hearing both sides, the Court revoked that confirmation, finding EOCO lacked the mandate to investigate.
Yet on March 30, 2026, EOCO issued a public media release declaring Sesi-Edem’s directors “wanted” and signaled it would proceed with investigations.
Sesi-Edem’s lawyers, Knightscild Chambers, then filed for the injunction to protect the company and its directors.
Court’s Latest Order
The April 14 injunction compels EOCO to drop the “wanted” declaration and take no further steps pending the substantive case.
Bailiffs have served the Order on EOCO, placing its Board and Management “fully on notice” to comply.
Company Response
“Sesi-Edem Company Limited reiterates that neither it nor its directors have engaged in any criminal conduct, and that the transaction in question remains a contractual matter governed by its agreed terms,” the statement issued by Knightscild Chambers said.
The company added it will “continue to take all appropriate steps to protect its rights and to ensure that the authority of the Court is respected.”
EOCO is yet to publicly respond to the latest Court order.
Key facts:
– Contract deadline, June 2026
– Court finding: No fraud/money laundering disclosed on facts
– EOCO action restrained: ‘Wanted’ declaration, arrest, detention, investigation
– Earlier ruling: Accounts unfrozen; EOCO acted outside mandate
