EOCO does not deny suspects access to their lawyers – Raymond Archer

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Raymond Archer, has defended the conduct of investigators in the ongoing investigations by his outfit. He has also rejected allegations that lawyers were denied access to their clients in custody.

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, Mr. Archer explained that one of the suspects, identified as Hanan Abdul-Wahap Aludibia, former Chief Executive Officer of the Buffer Stock Company had fallen ill while in custody and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

“When somebody says he is sick, it is a medical condition, not a legal condition,” Mr. Archer stated adding “you may be the most intelligent lawyer, but you are still not a doctor.”

He explained that by the time the suspect returned from hospital later in the evening, several official activities connected to other investigations were already ongoing, making it difficult to immediately halt proceedings to entertain fresh requests from lawyers.

The EOCO boss also denied claims that lawyers representing the suspects were deliberately ignored when they attempted to contact him.

Responding to allegations that calls from lawyers, including former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, went unanswered, Mr. Archer said he routinely receives numerous missed calls while attending meetings, conferences and investigative duties.

“I get missed calls a million times,” he said, insisting that failure to answer a call should not be interpreted as an intentional refusal to grant access to suspects.

Mr. Archer maintained that EOCO has a standing policy that no suspect is interrogated without the presence of legal counsel.

He further addressed complaints that lawyers who arrived at EOCO offices on Wednesday morning waited several hours without seeing their clients.

According to him, the lawyers were processed according to arrival time, adding that other legal teams, including that of Minkah-Premo, had arrived earlier and were therefore attended to first.

“So it just presupposes, and confirms what I am telling you, that things go by process,” he stated.

Mr. Archer insisted that the joint EOCO-BNI investigation was being conducted professionally and in accordance with due process, while respecting the rights of suspects and their lawyers.

 

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