Member of Parliament for Sumae, John Darko has denied any involvement in a deal to compromise a court judgment involving SIC Savings and Loans Company Limited and Equity Savings and Loans Limited, insisting he played no role in the subsequent settlement.
Mr Darko made the clarification in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, through his law firm, Darko, Keli-Delataa & Co, following his appearance before the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Tuesday, October 13, to assist with an ongoing investigation into the matter.
According to the law firm, Mr Darko’s involvement was limited to his role as legal counsel for Equity during its litigation with SIC over an investment that had matured but remained unpaid.
The firm said investigators questioned him about his legal representation of Equity and his tenure as a member of the company’s board from 2015 to 2023.
It stressed that neither Mr Darko nor the firm was involved in any settlement reached between the two companies after the litigation. They were also unaware of Equity’s decision to dispose of land attached by a court in connection with the dispute.
The lawyers further disclosed that the firm had terminated its legal services to Equity over unpaid legal fees before the developments surrounding the settlement.
Mr Darko, they added, had left Equity’s board by September 2023 and was not involved in any decision to compromise the judgment debt.
“Our client had ceased to be board member of Equity by September 2023 and was certainly not a participant in any decision to compromise a court judgment in a conspiratorial scheme to deny SIC the benefits of its judicial awards,” the statement said.
Background to the SIC settlement
The case centres on a July 2024 agreement involving SIC, Equity and Eco Swiss Investment Limited, under which SIC agreed to accept GH¢5 million in full settlement of a revised judgment debt of GH¢14,850,776.14.
The transaction is being investigated as part of broader allegations of unauthorised financial dealings and a suspected conspiracy that EOCO says resulted in an estimated loss of approximately GH¢27 million to SIC.
The investigation has also led to charges against Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who was engaged by SIC in May 2020 to recover the debt from Equity.
The charges against him include conspiracy to commit a crime, intentionally causing financial loss to a public body and money laundering. The allegations remain subject to determination through the legal process.
Mr Darko had previously criticised EOCO’s attempt to arrest Mr Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court on September 23, describing the incident as unacceptable and arguing that state institutions must operate within the confines of the Constitution.
Darko pledges cooperation with EOCO
Following his appearance before investigators, Mr Darko’s lawyers reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate with EOCO and provide any additional information required.
The firm maintained that both Mr Darko’s conduct and its own actions had been guided by professional ethics.
“Our client is committed to the ongoing investigations and stands ready to provide any further assistance to EOCO concerning his role and that of our firm in this SIC and EOCO matter,” the statement said.
