The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has ramped up its investigation into the Ghanaian aspect of the high-profile bribery case involving former Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Managing Director and Goldman Sachs banker, Asante Kwaku Berko.
This intensified probe follows Berko’s recent conviction by a US federal jury over his involvement in a scheme that saw more than US$1 million in bribes allegedly paid to Ghanaian officials to facilitate the development and financing of a power plant.
According to a statement issued by EOCO on Monday, August 10, the agency is now actively working to identify and trace funds, assets, and other financial benefits that may be linked to the alleged bribery scheme. The tracing and potential recovery of such assets, EOCO stated, is a central pillar of its Ghana-focused investigation.
As part of its efforts, EOCO investigators will examine financial transactions, scrutinize individuals who may have benefited, and seek out assets acquired from or linked to suspected criminal activity. The Office noted that should any assets be found to have originated from unlawful conduct, they could be preserved and recovered, so long as the evidence and Ghanaian law permit.
EOCO’s involvement dates back to 2025, after receiving a request from US authorities for information on persons in Ghana considered relevant to the bribery probe. That request specifically mentioned a former Minister of State and other public officials, broadening the scope of the investigation.
Since then, EOCO has worked closely with the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Justice, tracking developments in the US case while pursuing leads on the Ghanaian side. In the wake of Berko’s conviction, the Attorney-General has moved swiftly to engage US authorities for the exchange of evidence and documents to bolster the ongoing investigation back home.
Additionally, the Attorney-General has instructed EOCO to intensify its investigative efforts as more information becomes available through formal channels of international cooperation.
Despite the gravity of Berko’s conviction, EOCO cautioned against assuming that criminal wrongdoing by others in Ghana is a foregone conclusion. The agency emphasized that each individual named in the evidence would be independently assessed on the basis of available evidence and in accordance with Ghanaian law.
While EOCO has pledged to diligently follow the financial trail, it underscored its commitment to protecting sensitive investigative details to avoid jeopardizing ongoing inquiries or potential prosecutions.
US prosecutors alleged that Asante Berko orchestrated the payment of over US$1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials in connection with the power plant project, a scheme whose reverberations are now being thoroughly examined by Ghanaian anti-corruption authorities.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com