Economic and Organised Crime Office
| Economic and Organised Crime Office | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | EOCO |
| Motto | "Integrity, Justice, Accountability" |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 2010 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Federal agency | GH |
| Operations jurisdiction | GH |
| Constituting instruments |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Barnes Road, adjacent to Old Parliament House, High Street, Accra |
| Agency executive |
|
| Divisions | Investigations, Prosecution, Asset Recovery & Management, Cybercrime & Intelligence, Research & Strategy, Operations, Finance, Human Resource & Administration |
| Website | |
| https://www.eoco.gov.gh | |
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is a law enforcement agency in Ghana responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and recovering proceeds of serious economic and organised crimes.[1] EOCO was established under the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010 (Act 804) and replaced the Serious Fraud Office.[2]
History
EOCO was formed in 2010 to address increasing concerns over economic crimes, corruption, fraud, and organised crime in Ghana.[3] It consolidated functions from the defunct Serious Fraud Office and expanded its mandate to include human trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering.[4][5][6] The agency operates under the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General but functions independently in its investigations.[7]
Notable cases
Large-scale asset recoveries
- EOCO recovered GH¢214.64 million in proceeds of crime. GH¢35.34 million was remitted directly into the Consolidated Fund, and the remainder (GH¢179.29 million) recovered indirectly.[8]
- By September 2022, EOCO had recovered GH¢27.55 million, with GH¢11.14 million remitted directly to the Consolidated Fund.[9][10]
- From 2014 to March 2019, EOCO recovered GH¢99,165,369.29 from various economic crimes including tax fraud, money laundering, payroll fraud, and false pretences.[11]
Human trafficking & job-scam rings
- EOCO rescued 26 victims from a human trafficking syndicate exploiting the QNET brand. Nine suspects were arrested.[12]
- 35 suspects arrested in Oyarifa for luring over 200 victims with fake job opportunities. Victims were forced into exploitative labor and cybercrime.[13]
High-Profile Investigations
- Investigation of a $72 million procurement by the Ghana Social Security and National Insurance Trust.[14][15]
- EOCO froze assets and bank accounts of former COCOBOD Stephen Opuni over fraud allegations.[16]
- EOCO took over investigations from Office of the Special Prosecutor in 2024 concerning allegations of money laundering by the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.[17][18]
See also
References
- ^ "About EOCO". eoco.gov.gh. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010". ghalii.org. 2010-09-07. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Our History". eoco.gov.gh. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "26 victims freed as EOCO cracks down on human trafficking syndicate". Graphic Online. 2025-10-18. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO rescues 7 Nigerians forced into cyber fraud at Mataheko–Afienya - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Bank of Ghana Cooperation with EOCO to Investigate Suspected Cases of Financial Crime – Bank of Ghana". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Consolidating Ghana's Justice and Oversight Institutions: A Civic Call for Efficiency and Independence". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO retrieves GH¢214m proceeds of crime". Graphic Online. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ MyNewsGH (2022-11-27). "EOCO recovers GH¢27.55 million in ten months – Finance Minister reveals". MyNewsGh. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO recovers over ¢27m crime monies in 10 months - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO Recovers GH¢99m From Looters Archives". DailyGuide Network. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "26 victims freed as EOCO cracks down on human trafficking syndicate". Graphic Online. 2025-10-18. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Over 200 victims of human trafficking rescued at Oyarifa, EOCO arrests 35 suspects - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO indicts Ernest Thompson, four others in SSNIT software scandal". Graphic Online. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO ends probe into $72m SSNIT software scandal, heads to roll". Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always. 2018-02-23. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO justifies freezing Opuni's accounts". GhanaWeb. 2018-05-17. Archived from the original on 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "OSP returns Cecilia Dapaah's docket to EOCO". 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "EOCO re-opens Cecilia Dapaah's case". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-19.