Josiah
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has granted former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCOD), Dennis “Miracles” Aboagye, bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with three justified sureties.
His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, confirmed the development on Monday evening after his client honoured an invitation by EOCO investigators. Speaking to the media in Accra, Mr Atta Akyea described the bail conditions as extremely difficult to meet, particularly within a limited timeframe.
“How is he going to be released? How can it be met at this critical hour? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million tonight?” he questioned.
Mr Aboagye was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, July 11, after officers of the Ghana Immigration Service enforced a Stop Order issued by EOCO upon his arrival in the country.
The arrest sparked criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), with the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleging that Mr Aboagye had been detained without being informed of the offence for which he was being held. The party also claimed his lawyers were initially denied access to him and described the arrest as politically motivated, urging EOCO to uphold his constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Monday, however, EOCO said the arrest was part of ongoing investigations into the alleged misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of approximately GH¢55 million in public funds.
According to the Office, the investigations were initiated following a petition by the current Executive Secretary of IMCCOD, requesting further inquiries into a forensic audit covering the period from August 1, 2022, to February 2, 2025.
EOCO stated that Mr Aboagye, who served as Executive Secretary during the period under review, is being investigated alongside the Secretariat’s former Accountant, Gerald Appiah, and other individuals. The suspects are alleged to have committed offences including conspiracy to steal, stealing, using public office for personal gain, causing financial loss to the State, dissipation of public funds, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.
The Office disclosed that Mr Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding funds linked to the investigations but stressed that the repayments neither conclude the investigations nor exempt any suspect from potential criminal liability.
EOCO further explained that recent developments in the case prompted plans to arrest Mr Aboagye. It noted that although he had previously cooperated with investigators and was aware of the ongoing probe, a Stop Order was issued to prevent him from leaving the country while investigations continued. However, he had already travelled abroad before the order took effect.
The Office said immigration officers enforced the Stop Order upon his arrival at Kotoka International Airport and handed him over to EOCO investigators. He subsequently accompanied officials during a search connected to the ongoing investigations.
Source:Omanghana.com
