Miracles Aboagye under investigation over alleged misappropriation of GH¢55 million IMCCoD funds  — EOCO

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed that the arrest of former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, is linked to investigations into the alleged misappropriation, diversion and theft of about GH¢55 million in public funds.

The clarification comes a day after Miracles Aboagye, who is also an aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was arrested by EOCO after being intercepted at the Accra International Airport upon his return to Ghana.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, EOCO said the investigations stem from a petition submitted by the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD, requesting further investigations into a forensic audit covering the period between August 1, 2022 and February 2, 2025.

"The investigations, which commenced last year following an initial forensic audit of the IMCCoD and the subsequent petition, concern the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million," the statement read in part.

EOCO disclosed that Miracles Aboagye, together with former IMCCoD Accountant Gerald Appiah and others, is under investigation for offences including conspiracy to steal, stealing, using public office for profit, causing financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering and other suspected offences.

The Office further revealed that Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding funds allegedly connected to the ongoing investigations but said the recoveries neither conclude the investigation nor absolve any suspect of criminal liability.

According to EOCO, significant new findings uncovered last week prompted an operational plan to arrest Miracles Aboagye.

It said he had been placed on a stop order to prevent him from leaving the country, but officials later realised he had already travelled before the directive took effect.

"EOCO further confirms that Mr. Aboagye will be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana. Likewise, Mr. Gerald Appiah is expected to complete his bail conditions today and will be released while investigations continue," the office noted.