Former Attorney-General and anti-corruption crusader Martin Amidu has accused former President John Dramani Mahama of manipulating the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for political purposes. According to Amidu, the institution was allegedly used as a weapon to intimidate and silence individuals considered political threats during Mahama’s tenure.
Amidu, in a recent statement, claimed that EOCO’s operations under the Mahama administration were far from neutral. He alleged that the agency was influenced to go after people who opposed the government, while those aligned with the ruling party were often shielded from scrutiny. This, he said, represented a dangerous abuse of power that undermined the core principles of justice and accountability.
“The selective use of state institutions to settle political scores,” Amidu reportedly said, “erodes public trust in our justice system and weakens the fight against corruption.” He argued that agencies like EOCO should operate independently, without political interference, if Ghana is to make any real progress in tackling corruption.
The former Attorney-General’s remarks have reignited public debate about how much control politicians should have over law enforcement institutions. Critics of Mahama’s government have long accused the former president of using key state bodies — including EOCO and the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) — to protect allies and punish opponents.
However, supporters of Mahama have dismissed Amidu’s claims as politically motivated and baseless. They insist that during Mahama’s presidency, EOCO operated within its legal mandate, investigating both government and opposition figures where necessary. Some have even suggested that Amidu’s allegations are an attempt to score political points rather than promote genuine reform.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to the independence of Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions, a topic that continues to spark national discussion. Civil society organisations have called for reforms to ensure that agencies like EOCO, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and CHRAJ can function without political pressure.
As Ghana moves closer to another election cycle, the debate over institutional neutrality is expected to intensify. Observers note that whether under Mahama, Akufo-Addo, or any future leader, ensuring that justice agencies are free from political influence remains one of the biggest challenges facing the country’s democracy.
Source: Thepressradio.com
