Rambo-Style Takeover Of EC By EOCO Unacceptable

The National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the actions of the Economic and Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO) against the Deputy EC Chair.

Kofi Adams said it is worrying the manner in which state institutions are acting in ways that violate people’s right.

He said it is wrong the manner in which EOCO went about getting Georgina Opoku Amankwah out of her office.

Mr Adams told Joy News’ Evans Mensah on the Newsnight programme Monday that the NDC is yet to meet to take a decision on the matter.

“Hopefully tomorrow we will have a meeting and I am sure this matter will come up for detailed discussions," he said.

According to him, there are more civil and decorous ways of getting the Deputy EC Chair to give them more time to conclude their investigations than using Rambo-style to oust her.

His comment comes after EOCO officers invaded the premises of the EC at Ridge in Accra Monday with the sole aim of forcing Mrs Amankwah out of her office.

Mrs Amankwah is reported to have defied their orders to stay out of the office six months after she was interdicted by EOCO.

She has been under investigation after several claims of financial impropriety were made against her.

Related: Deputy EC boss refuses to leave as EOCO personnel invade office

Also indicted are two others; the EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei and Deputy in charge of Operations Amadu Sulley.

All three are subjects of investigation and possible impeachment, however, the two have been going about their duties as mandated by the law.

This Mrs Amankwah thought was unfair and therefore decided to resume Monday.

However, Joy News' Latif Iddrisu says three operatives from EOCO made their way into the premises of the EC to force her out of office.

But she has resisted, insisting, the action by the EOCO is unconstitutional.

She said only the president has the power to interdict her. Mrs Amankwa has locked herself up in her office daring the EOCO officials to break in.

Cool heads later prevailed with Mrs Amankwaa agreeing to give the EOCO a 14-day grace period to conclude with investigations after which she will return to office.

“The behaviour as if it is a military takeover that we are experiencing must seize and state institutions must work in a way that is acceptable,” he said.

He said he watched events live on TV and was wondering what was happening to warrant fully armed military moving into the EC premises.

Mr Kofi Adams questioned if there were to engage in any counter-attack or “there is some robbery that they were going to stop.”

“It is absolutely wrong. The settlement that they reached after all the show of power could have been reached easily if they had made time for engagement," he added.