
Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Kwamigah, Founder & CEO of Sesi-Edem Company Ltd, Tanko Foundation, and TK Realties, popularly known as ‘Tanko Kwamigah’
Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Kwamigah, the Founder and CEO of Sesi-Edem Company Ltd, Tanko Foundation and TK Realties, popularly known as ‘Tanko Kwamigah,’ is facing multiple court cases related to alleged financial crimes, fraud and related offences, casting shadows and raising doubts about his suitability for the position of Regional Representative to the Council of State, as outlined in Paragraph (C), Clause (2) of Article 89 of the 1992 Constitution.
Under Article 89, Paragraph (C), Clause (2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, an individual seeking appointment as a Regional Representative to the Council of State must meet certain qualifications, including being of “high moral character” and “fit and proper” to serve in such an important role. The election of Regional Representatives to the Council of State is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in all regional capitals.
But, according to court documents obtained, allegations of financial crimes and fraud directly challenge the “trustworthiness and integrity” expected of Tanko Kwamigah, who aspires to become a public official, especially in a position as important as the Volta Regional Representative to the Council of State.
Tanko Kwamigah’s Cases
On 16th January, 2024, the High Court in Accra granted an ex-parte motion filed by the Attorney-General’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, allowing the National Security Secretariat to conduct a search as part of investigations into the activities of an alleged illegal gold smuggling and money laundering syndicate.
The search warrant followed an application by Detective Chief Inspector Wisdom Dometi, leading the investigation into the activities of three suspects: Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Kwamigah, William Tekpor, and Patricia Awoonor. The suspects were investigated for their alleged involvement in the illicit sale and purchase of gold and other precious minerals, as well as smuggling, fraudulent gold transactions, tax evasion, and money laundering.
According to an affidavit sworn by Chief Inspector Dometi, intelligence from the National Security Secretariat indicated that the accused had been procuring gold and other valuable minerals from illegal sources and smuggling them out of Ghana, causing significant financial losses to the state.
The National Security Secretariat also suspected that the accused operated from Sesi-Edem Company Limited, located at No. 65 Central High Street, Adjirigano, East Legon, Accra. The premises were believed to house large quantities of illegally acquired gold, cash payments from illicit transactions, and vital documents that could aid the investigation.
The court further stated that evidence relevant to the case, including digital storage devices, mobile phones, smelting equipment and vehicles used in gold transportation, might be found at the location. Travel documents such as passports linked to the suspects’ international dealings were also under scrutiny.
The High Court, after reviewing the application, ruled in favour of granting the search warrant under Section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1960 (Act 30). The order permitted the National Security team to enter and search the specified premises between January 17 and February 18, 2024, with the authority to extend the search to any other premises associated with the suspects that may come to light.
Criminal case for 3 suspects
On January 18, 2024, the High Court of Justice, Criminal Court 5, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, granted an ex-parte application for a search warrant filed by Detective Chief Inspector Wisdom Dometi in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation involving Gabriel Adovoe Kwabla Kwamigah, William Tekpor, and Patricia Awoonor.
The court session, held at 10:36 AM in Accra, was moved by Counsel for the Republic, Anastacia Karimu, led by Joshua Sackey, who relied on specific averments in the supporting affidavit. After considering the application, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo granted the search warrant, allowing law enforcement to conduct searches until February 18, 2024, beyond regular hours, and to extend searches to other relevant premises.
Seeking bail
Tanko Kwamigah later filed a motion for bail at the High Court of Justice in Accra following his recent arrest and detention on charges of defrauding by false pretenses. The application, filed by his legal representative, Dr. Emmanuel Maurice Ankrah, was heard in February 2024. According to court documents, Kwamigah was involved in a gold transaction with two Azerbaijani nationals, Orkhan Oglu Sadikhov and Nadir Valiyev, in August 2023.
The businessman reportedly facilitated the sale of 60kg of gold to the foreign buyers before finalizing another 125kg transaction in December 2023.
However, five days after receiving the gold, Sadikhov allegedly returned, requesting assistance in transporting the consignment to Dubai, which Kwamigah refused.
Subsequently, on February 5, 2024, security operatives from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) apprehended Kwamigah at his East Legon residence without a search warrant. He was later taken into custody at the NIB headquarters, where he collapsed due to a diabetic condition and was hospitalized.
According to the affidavit, Kwamigah’s health deteriorated while in custody, highlighting a delay in complying with a court order to transfer him to the hospital. His legal team argued that his prolonged detention without trial violated his constitutional rights, emphasizing that the offense was bailable, and that Kwamigah had a fixed residence in Accra, making him unlikely to flee.
Granting bail
On February 20, 2024, during a hearing to determine whether Kwamigah qualified for bail pending trial, the High Court of Justice, Criminal Court 4, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame, granted bail to Kwamigah in the sum of five million Ghana cedis.
The accused, who was absent due to being in lawful custody, was represented by his legal team led by Richard Nunekpeku, with Gafaru Ali and Isaac Kodjoe also appearing on his behalf. The Republic was represented by Counsel Emma Messiba.
The court proceedings revealed that Kwamigah was not present because he had been sent to the trial court, which had not sat on that day. Counsel for the accused explained that the case had been adjourned to February 19, 2024.
The defense team requested bail, which was granted under specific conditions, including providing three sureties, two of whom must secure the bail bond with landed property located in the Greater Accra Region.
The sureties were also required to submit copies of their Ghana Cards and digital addresses at the court’s registry. The accused was instructed to report to the police every Friday until the final determination of the case.
