Citizens’ pressure group, OccupyGhana has called on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI) and other investigative agencies to ensure that the fight against economic crime does not turn investigations into punishment.
In a statement issued on September 30, 2026, the pressure group raised concerns about the use of account freezes, travel restrictions, agency-imposed bail, reporting requirements and arrests against people who have not been charged before a court.
OccupyGhana said its concern was not with investigating economic crime, but with how investigative powers are being used and whether restrictions imposed during investigations remain justified and within the law.
PDS case raises concerns
The group pointed to the ongoing investigation involving Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana Ltd as a key example.
It said EOCO had frozen about 66 accounts belonging to PDS and individuals linked to the company since April 2026. Some affected persons, it added, had alleged that accounts belonging to businesses with no connection to PDS had also been frozen.
OccupyGhana said two PDS officials were detained by the BNI on April 30 and initially granted bail of GH¢50 million each. According to the group, the bail was increased to GH¢100 million each on May 6, although no charges had been filed and there had reportedly been no change in the suspected offences.
The two officials were also restricted from travelling outside Ghana.
The group said the officials and two lawyers who accompanied them to the BNI had reportedly been required to report to EOCO three times a week since May, despite no charges having been filed.
Lawyers’ treatment questioned
OccupyGhana also raised concerns about the treatment of the two lawyers.
It said they were identified as persons of interest, detained overnight and granted bail of GH¢50 million each after accompanying their clients to the BNI.
According to the group, the lawyers alleged that they were questioned about professional fees and that their personal and law-firm accounts were subsequently frozen. They also alleged that the firm’s partners were placed on a no-fly watchlist.
OccupyGhana called for respect for the right to counsel and said lawyers should not be subjected to punitive measures simply because they represent people under investigation.
Court ruling cited
OccupyGhana also referred to a 2026 High Court decision involving Sesi-Edem Company Limited.
The group said the Court found that EOCO had frozen the company’s accounts in connection with a contractual dispute that fell outside the agency’s mandate.
It also cited the July 2026 arrest of former National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba at the airport, days after the High Court had permitted him to travel for medical treatment.
OccupyGhana said the cases formed part of a wider concern about the use of investigative powers before a person is charged.
Call for review of restrictions
OccupyGhana urged investigative agencies to charge suspects where sufficient evidence exists and lift account freezes, bail conditions, reporting requirements and travel restrictions where the evidence does not justify their continuation.
On bail, it said courts should determine appropriate conditions and that bail should be reasonable, proportionate and capable of being met while still ensuring that suspects remain available.
The group also called for the courts to deal expeditiously with pending matters, including the PDS judicial review and a Supreme Court case concerning agency-imposed bail.
It wants Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and Defence and Interior Committee to scrutinise how EOCO and the BNI exercise their investigative powers.
OccupyGhana has also called on the Attorney-General to review the use of freezing orders, agency-imposed bail and reporting conditions in current investigations and to respond publicly to petitions and correspondence before the office.
The group acknowledged the seriousness of economic crime allegations but said their seriousness should not, by itself, justify indefinite restrictions or departures from constitutional safeguards.
Its position is that economic crime should be investigated and prosecuted where evidence supports charges, but the investigative process must itself remain within the law.
