Former EOCO boss faces disqualification from NDC primaries

Former Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) Kweku Mortey Akpadzi is likely to be disqualified from contesting the parliamentary primaries of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) after a petition accused him of economic sabotage.

Kweku Akpadzi who filed his nominations to contest for the Ho West parliamentary primaries in the Volta region will face a vetting panel Friday.

But in a petition signed by a private citizen Gilbert Akpabey and addressed to President John Mahama, the former Executive Director of EOCO stands accused of embezzling monies meant for investigating fraud in some state and non-state organsiations.

The agencies include the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), the Microfinance and Small Loan Center (MASLOC) and activities of some Destination Inspection Companies (DICs) and clearing agents at Ghana’s ports.

The parliamentary aspirant allegedly misappropriated 190,000 cedis meant for a 2010 investigations into GSFP and failed to account for 200,000 cedis meant for investigations into DICs.

Gilbert Akpabey also alleges that although EOCO took 10% of all monies recovered from recalcitrant debts of MASLOC, the monies were not paid into EOCO’s accounts.

The Ho West parliamentary aspirant allegedly operated an illegal bank account where these monies were kept.

The nine-paged petition also accused the parliamentary aspirant of seizing three official vehicles for his personal use since his retirement in May 2015.

“He also has in his custody the keys to the official residence of EOCO” the petitioner said.

Kweku Akpadzi is among three others challenging the incubment Emmanuel Bedzrah for the Ho West seat in a parliamentary primaries slated for November 7,2015.

Read cover letter of petition addressed to General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia

I wish to submit a petition for the suspension of Mr. Kweku Mortey Akpadzi, former Executive Director EOCO (Economic and Organised Crime Office)who's vetting is scheduled for Friday, the 9th of October 2015 at Ho.

While in office, Mr. Kweku Mortey Akpadzi was involved in the following malpractices;

1.Opened an "illegal"Operations Account with Bank of Ghana

2. Misappropriating GHc 190,000.00 out of the GHc 200,000.00 released to support the office to investigate the Ghana School Feeding Program.

3. Unable to account for GHc 200,000.00 released to finance research and investigations into the activities ofDics(Destination Inspection Companies)Importers and Clearing agents

4. Using official residence and official vehicles illegally whilst on retirement since May 15th, 2015. He has kept the following vehicles in his custody and using them for his private business.

The vehicles are
1. Land cruiser#UE 1008-09
II. Toyota Camry#GW 3060-09
III. Toyota HILUX#UE1012-09
He also has in his custody the keys to the official residence of EOCO.

Attached is a copy of the petition submitted to the President of the Republic.

Thank you for your co-operation
Yours faithfully,
Gilbert C. Akpabey
Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|EA