{
  "id": 14404597,
  "title": "John Darko denies role in SIC settlement after EOCO interrogation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/john-darko-denies-role-in-sic-settlement-after-eoco-interrogation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T08:40:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/john-darko-denies-role-in-sic-settlement-after-eoco-interrogation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "John Darko, a Member of Parliament for Suame, has strongly denied his involvement in a settlement between SIC Savings and Loans Company Limited and Equity Savings and Loans Limited. This denial came after Darko appeared before Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) investigators on October 13 to assist with their ongoing inquiries. Darko's legal team, Darko, Keli-Delataa & Co., stated in a declaration on October 14 that investigators focused on Darko's legal representation of Equity during its dispute with SIC over an unpaid, matured investment, as well as his membership on Equity's board from 2015 to 2023.\n\nDarko's legal representatives clarified that his legal involvement was restricted to the litigation proceedings and recovering part of the judgment awards granted to SIC. They maintained that the firm was unaware of Equity's decision to sell the land that served as collateral for the judicial award to a third party, Eco Swiss Investment Limited. Furthermore, they emphasized that their firm had already withdrawn legal services from Equity due to non-payment of fees before any post-judgment settlement occurred.\n\nThe clarification emerged during EOCO's investigation into a criminal conspiracy allegedly involving SIC Savings and Loans. This case centers on a July 2024 settlement wherein SIC agreed to pay GH¢5 million to settle a revised judgment debt of GH¢14.85 million. EOCO has estimated that the alleged conspiracy has resulted in a financial loss of approximately GH¢27 million. The investigation has also targeted Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who has been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, causing financial loss to a public body, and money laundering.\n\nDarko’s legal team affirmed their client's full cooperation with the investigation and commended EOCO for their professionalism during the interrogation. They further asserted that their client and their firm had acted ethically and professionally throughout their dealings with Equity, adhering to the principles of professional responsibility.",
  "summary": "Suame Member of Parliament John Darko has denied any involvement in a post-judgment settlement between SIC Savings and Loans Company Limited and Equity Savings and Loans Limited that allegedly resulted in financial losses to SIC.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "EOCO grants Suame MP John Darko enquiry bail in GH¢27m SIC investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/eoco-grants-suame-mp-john-darko-enquiry-bail-in-gh-27m-sic",
        "published": "2026-10-13T19:34:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Suame MP John Darko granted enquiry bail in GH¢27m SIC investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/suame-mp-john-darko-granted-enquiry-bail-in-gh-27m-sic-investigation",
        "published": "2026-10-13T20:08:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Suame MP John Darko granted enquiry bail in GH¢27m SIC Savings and Loans investigation after reporting to EOCO again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/suame-mp-john-darko-granted-enquiry-bail-in-gh-27m-sic-savings-and",
        "published": "2026-10-13T20:38:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "SIC settlement: Suame MP John Darko denies involvement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/sic-settlement-suame-mp-john-darko-denies-involvement",
        "published": "2026-10-14T08:19:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}