EOCO probe 'political harassment, biggest joke' – PPP

The Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) is being used to politically harass the flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the party’s policy advisor Kofi Asamoah-Siaw has said.

Apart from Dr Nduom, EOCO is demanding the source of campaign funding from Mr Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC). They have up to Wednesday, October 26, 2016 to respond to the request.

The EOCO letter was dated October 21, 2016 and signed by the Executive Director of the EOCO, Mr Justice A. Tsar. The letter was triggered by public announcements by Mr Ayariga to the effect that he had expended $6 million on his campaign.

Dr Nduom, on the other hand, is being asked to explain the source of the GHS1,750,000 that he paid for himself and the parliamentary candidates of the PPP.

The letter to Mr Ayariga indicated that “the office has followed with keen interest your foray into the political landscape of Ghana and your frustration with the recent decision of the Electoral Commission bordering on your disqualification”.

“The office has analysed your statements and comments made to the media and circulated on social media. In one such statement, you are heard to say that you expended over $6 million to procure vehicles, among others. The statement is of great interest to the office,” it said.

The letter stated that the EOCO would be grateful if Mr Ayariga could confirm, in writing, the sources of the total amount he had expended, including the amount of $6 million he was on record to have exhausted.

EOCO’s letter to Dr Nduom said: “Information available to this office is to the effect that you financed the recent filing of nominations for both the presidential and parliamentary candidates with the total amount of GH¢1,750,000 from the GN Bank.”

EOCO said it would be grateful if Dr Nduom could confirm the sources of the amounts and mode of payment to the EC.

However, Mr Asamoah-Siaw told Prince Minkah on Class91.3FM’s Executive Breakfast Show on Monday, 24 October that EOCO’s action is the “biggest joke of the century.” “Wwhere is this thing coming from?” he asked, adding that “state institutions are being deployed as political weapons against an opponent.”

“Who are they going to send next, the BNI or the Military? This political harassment must stop. President Mahama must call these people to order and if he is not the one behind it, he must act as president in the interest of all of us. We must all speak against this injustice. This political harassment will not work, we will not keep quiet,” he added.