The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has declared Emmanuel Ababio wanted as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of defrauding by false pretences linked to a multi-kilogram gold transaction.
According to information available to the media, the investigation was triggered by a petition submitted by JG Resources Limited. The complaint was initially lodged with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) before the matter was transferred to EOCO for further investigation.
The petition alleges that Goldline Mining Ghana Limited, with Emmanuel Ababio identified as its controlling person, received payment to supply 29 kilograms of gold to Dubai-based Unigold Trading LLC. However, the complainant claims that only 20 kilograms were delivered, leaving an alleged shortfall of nine kilograms.
The petitioner further alleges that a subsequent payment was made for an additional 10 kilograms of gold, with the earlier nine-kilogram deficit expected to be added to the new shipment. According to the complaint, only 7.8 kilograms were subsequently delivered, resulting in an alleged outstanding balance of 11.2 kilograms.
In addition to the disputed gold deliveries, the petition claims that GH¢330,000 was paid directly to Ababio to facilitate the transportation and shipment of the gold. The complainant alleges that the shipment never materialized and that repeated assurances of delivery were not fulfilled. It is further alleged that neither the outstanding gold nor a refund has been provided.
Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that EOCO made several attempts to secure Ababio’s cooperation before issuing the wanted notice after those efforts proved unsuccessful.
EOCO has not publicly disclosed additional details regarding the investigation, and no criminal charges or court findings have yet been announced against Ababio.
The declaration comes amid increased scrutiny of Ghana’s gold trading sector, where advance financing arrangements often depend on trust, timely delivery, and strict compliance with contractual obligations. Industry observers note that failures in the supply chain can quickly escalate from commercial disputes into criminal investigations when allegations of fraud arise.
The case also highlights the importance of due diligence and risk management within Ghana’s evolving gold marketing framework. The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has introduced stricter regulatory measures for licensed aggregators, including fit-and-proper assessments, capital requirements, bank guarantees, advance payment guarantees, and enhanced supply chain traceability to reduce the risk of financial losses arising from undelivered gold.
EOCO has urged anyone with information on Emmanuel Ababio’s whereabouts to contact the Office to assist with its ongoing investigations.
Editor’s Note: The allegations outlined above are contained in a petition that is under investigation by EOCO. Emmanuel Ababio has been declared wanted in connection with the investigation but has not been convicted of any offence. The allegations remain unproven unless and until determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
