The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has taken into custody the former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, as part of a widening investigation into alleged corruption and financial malfeasance during his tenure at the state-owned gaming regulator.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that Awuku was picked up by EOCO operatives on Saturday morning and is currently being held at the agency’s headquarters in Accra for questioning. The detention is understood to be a preventive measure to facilitate thorough interrogation, not an indication of formal charges—at least at this stage. EOCO has not yet issued a public statement detailing the specific allegations, but insiders indicate the probe centres on suspicious financial transactions, procurement irregularities, and possible misapplication of public funds linked to the NLA’s operations between 2017 and 2023.
Background: Awuku’s Tenure at the NLA
Sammi Awuku, a seasoned politician and former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, was appointed Director-General of the NLA in March 2017 by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo. His tenure was marked by ambitious attempts to modernise the Authority, including the introduction of digital lottery platforms and a push to expand the NLA’s revenue base. However, his leadership also attracted criticism from civil society groups and internal whistleblowers who raised concerns about opaque contract awards, inflated operational costs, and questionable revenue reporting.
In 2022, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament summoned Awuku to answer queries regarding the NLA’s financial statements, which showed significant discrepancies between projected and actual remittances to the Consolidated Fund. At the time, Awuku defended the Authority’s performance, attributing shortfalls to economic headwinds and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stepped down as Director-General in early 2023, paving the way for a successor appointed by the current administration.
The Scope of EOCO’s Investigation
EOCO’s current inquiry is understood to go beyond the parliamentary audits. Investigators are examining:
· Procurement contracts: Allegations that certain IT and marketing contracts were awarded to companies with links to senior NLA officials without competitive bidding.
· Revenue leakage: Claims that a portion of lottery proceeds was diverted into unauthorised accounts or used for unapproved expenditures.
· Conflict of interest: Suspicions that Awuku may have used his position to benefit private business interests affiliated with his political network.
The agency is also reviewing bank records, internal NLA audit reports, and testimony from former and current staff. As of Saturday evening, no arrests have been made beyond the detention for questioning, and Awuku’s legal team is reported to be preparing a response to the allegations.
A Broader Anti-Corruption Drive
The detention of Sammi Awuku comes amidst a renewed push by state security agencies to investigate high-profile public officials for financial crimes. In recent months, EOCO has also opened probes into other state-owned enterprises, including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Electricity Company of Ghana, over similar concerns. The agency, established under Act 804 of 2010, has the mandate to investigate and prosecute economic crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and fraud.
Reactions and Next Steps
The NLA, in a brief statement, said it is fully cooperating with EOCO and will provide all necessary documentation to aid the investigation. The Authority declined further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the probe.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations, including the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, have welcomed the detention as a positive step toward accountability. They have called on EOCO to ensure a transparent and impartial process, and to make its findings public upon conclusion.
Awuku’s family and associates have not issued an official statement, but a close source told [Your Publication Name] that the former DG is “confident of his innocence” and expects to be released after clarifying the issues raised.
Outlook
As investigations continue, all eyes are on EOCO to determine whether the evidence gathered will warrant formal charges. If prosecuted and convicted, Awuku could face penalties ranging from hefty fines to imprisonment under Ghana’s anti-corruption laws. For now, the case stands as a significant test of the government’s commitment to tackling financial misconduct at the highest levels of public administration.
More details are expected as EOCO releases further information in the coming days.
