Lawyer Kwesi Botchway Jnr. has launched a blistering attack on the leadership of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), questioning the credibility of its Executive Director, Raymond Archer, and his deputy while criticising the agency’s handling of recent high-profile investigations.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana with Moro Awudu on Thursday, July 16, 2026, during a discussion on the detention of Dennis “Miracles” Aboagye and the GH¢50 million bail imposed on him, Mr Botchway accused EOCO of acting in ways that undermine constitutional rights and the presumption of innocence.
He also alleged that Mr Archer had a history of sensational journalism before assuming office.
“The deliberate misrepresentation, I think, is unfortunate. I think it is dangerous. I think it is disingenuous. And that goes to the credibility of Mr Raymond Archer.”
Mr Botchway said it was “a matter of public record” that Mr Archer, while serving as editor of the Enquirer newspaper, had gained notoriety for publishing sensational stories and had faced several defamation lawsuits.
“It is a matter of public record that Mr Archer, as editor of the Enquirer newspaper, gained notoriety for what I describe as an appetite for sensational news and sensational stories. He is one of the editors who has been sued by several people.”
He continued, “You will recall that he was sued by Joe Ghartey for publishing false stories about him. He was sued by Asabee for publishing false stories about him. He was sued by Mr George Owusu, the Country Manager of Kosmos Energy, for publishing false stories about him. He was sued by former Speaker of Parliament Mike Oquaye for publishing false stories about him. He was also sued by Mr Kwasi Osei, the former Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, for publishing false stories about him.”
Mr Botchway further claimed, “in fact, in one of those matters, Raymond Archer was convicted by the court in 2010. So, this is a person who, in my view, has been notorious for embellishing stories, pursuing sensationalism and damaging people’s reputations. This is someone who has been convicted for defaming others.”
Questioning Mr Archer’s appointment to head EOCO, the lawyer argued that his previous record should have raised concerns.
“And yet we appoint such a person to head a sensitive law enforcement agency like EOCO. What should we expect? We should expect him to embellish investigations and sensationalise them. That is exactly what he did in the case of Adu-Boahene.”
He alleged that EOCO’s public narrative in the Adu-Boahene case differed from what later emerged in court.
“He told the public a very nice dramatic story that the man owned about 200 houses in Accra alone, only for the matter to get to court, where the State Attorney indicated that the Attorney General’s press conference was neither conclusive nor relevant. That is what is happening in court.”
Mr Botchway said, “Meanwhile, Raymond Archer, in my view, fed the Attorney General serious lies that led to the destruction of the young man’s reputation.”
He also referred to the case involving former National Food Buffer Stock Company Chief Executive Abdul-Wahab Hanan.
“The same applies to the case involving Abdul-Wahab Hanan. Charges were filed alleging that Anas had embezzled more than GH¢70 million. Later, those charges were withdrawn and file a lesser charges.”
The lawyer said these developments reflected what he described as a pattern.
“When you put all these things together, I am not surprised that Raymond Archer is engaging in this enterprise because, in my view, that is his specialty. That is his appetite. He is well known for damaging the reputations of people and respected members of society. The court has convicted him in the past.”
“So, if such a person is trying to twist the narrative, I am not surprised.”
Mr Botchway also turned his attention to EOCO’s deputy.
“Then you look at his deputy, who also had his own encounter with the law in connection with the MV Benjamin cocaine case, where he was investigated as a suspect. When you put these two people at the helm of a sensitive institution like EOCO, what should we expect?”
He added, “One has been convicted by a court. The other was investigated in connection with a suspected cocaine scandal. These are the people now running EOCO.”
Describing the situation as troubling, Mr Botchway called on the authorities to ensure EOCO operates strictly within the law.
“I think this is problematic. I think the authorities must sit them down and remind them that EOCO is a creature of law. It is a statutory institution and cannot operate in a manner that subverts the Constitution.”
He argued that the constitutional requirement to either charge or release an arrested person within 48 hours should not be circumvented through excessive bail conditions.
“The Constitution is clear. Once you arrest someone, within 48 hours you must either bring that person before a court or release them. The Constitution does not say that after 48 hours you should impose draconian and unreasonable bail conditions simply to keep the person in detention. That is not what the law provides, nor is it the purpose of bail.”
He warned that such practices could weaken constitutional protections.
“We must therefore be very careful. If this pattern continues, it has the potential to undermine the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence.”
Mr Botchway concluded by cautioning against what he described as law enforcement agencies presenting disputed allegations as established facts before matters reach court.
“We cannot claim to be a constitutional democracy while law enforcement agencies arrest people, issue public statements, present disputed narratives as fact and make conclusive findings in the public domain before those individuals have even been formally charged and brought before a court.”
“I think this is a serious issue that all of us must pay attention to because we cannot continue in this way.”
