The Right to Information Commission (RTI) , according to an official Facebook post by Hon. Gilbert keklie has imposed an administrative penalty of GH¢100,000 on the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for failing to release information requested under the Right to Information Act.
The penalty follows an application for external review filed by Mr Gilbert Korbla Keklie, a resident of Anlo Afiadenyigba in the Keta Municipality, after EOCO declined to provide investigation reports he requested.
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According to Mr Keklie, he filed petitions with EOCO in 2019 and 2023 against Seth Yormewu and others, as well as Emmanuel Gemegah and others, alleging financial malfeasance and the diversion of premix fuel meant for fishermen at Nukpesekope. He said EOCO’s investigations in 2021 confirmed financial malfeasance within the Keta Municipal Assembly but did not address the alleged premix fuel diversion.
Mr Keklie further claimed that subsequent requests for copies of EOCO’s investigation reports were ignored, prompting him to submit multiple Right to Information requests, which he said were also declined.
Following recent changes in EOCO’s leadership, with the appointment of Raymond Archer as Executive Director and Daniel Yaw Domelevo as Board Chairman, Mr Keklie said he expected the new administration to release the information. However, he alleged that the requests were again refused, leading him to seek an external review by the Right to Information Commission.
The Commission’s decision to impose the GH¢100,000 administrative penalty, Mr Keklie said, indicates that EOCO breached its obligations under the Right to Information Act. He further argued that the action amounts to a violation of his constitutional right to information as guaranteed under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Keklie also argued that the penalty could result in financial loss to the state institution and potentially amount to misconduct under Act 989, attributing responsibility to EOCO’s leadership.
He added that he intends to pursue further action to ensure accountability, including submitting a petition to President John Mahama for redress.
Mr Keklie that a full copy of the Right to Information Commission’s decision is available in PDF format upon request.
