EOCO boss explains GFA raid

Accra, Dec 6, GNA - Mr. Kwaku Mortey, Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) says the raid at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) by his outfit on Tuesday morning does not amount to interference.

He told the GNA Sports the raid which lasted for about two hours was aimed at obtaining documents to investigate an issue of crime.

"We have information which suggests a breach of Ghana law and would investigating that amount to interference. If there are crimes shouldn't we investigate?" he quizzed.

He said the EOCO had clear understanding of what interference as defined by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) and insists the constant referral to the term in this regard was "neither here nor there".

The Executive Director said the EOCO obtained an ex parte motion to obtain the document they required from the GFA because the Federation failed to cooperate with his outfit since the commencement of preliminary investigation into some aspects of the FA's operations few months ago.

Mr. Mortey said EOCO has began analyzing the data obtained at the GFA premises in search of the required information and reiterated his outfit will not hesitate to follow the due process to acquire the needed document to further their investigation.

Few months ago, the EOCO invited the GFA to respond to some reported irregularities in the brokerage of the sponsorship partnership with cellular outfit, Globacom on the Premier League and the senior national team.

EOCO began a preliminary investigation into some aspect of the GFA dealings and according to Randy Abbey, Spokesman of the GFA, EOCO wrote to the Federation requesting for some documents.

"The SFO wrote to us and we responded. "It is basically about sponsorship agreements of the GFA."

A high-powered team from the EOCO earlier Tuesday stormed the premises of the GFA for documentary evidence on sponsorship agreements of the Association. The EOCO had a warrant that gives them the right of search.