Dennis Miracles Aboagye granted GH¢50 million bail over GH¢55 million EOCO probe

Former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye

The former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as "Miracles", has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with three sureties, two of whom must be justified.

Mr Aboagye was arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged misappropriation of approximately GH¢55 million at the IMCCoD Secretariat.

According to EOCO, the arrest followed months of investigations into suspected financial and procurement irregularities at the Secretariat. The probe also involves the former Accountant of IMCCoD, Gerald Appiah, who is being investigated in connection with the same matter.

In a statement dated July 13, EOCO said the investigations were triggered by a petition from the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD requesting further inquiries into a forensic audit covering the period from August 1, 2022, to February 2, 2025.

The Office explained that the investigation, which began last year after an initial forensic audit, focuses on the alleged misappropriation, diversion, misapplication and theft of public funds estimated at GH¢55 million.

EOCO said Mr Aboagye, Mr Appiah and several other individuals are being investigated for alleged 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, money laundering and other related offences.

The anti-graft agency disclosed that Mr Appiah has voluntarily started refunding part of the funds linked to the investigation. It, however, stressed that the repayments neither conclude the investigations nor absolve any suspect of potential criminal responsibility.

EOCO further explained that after uncovering fresh evidence relating to the alleged fraud and theft last week, it initiated an operation to arrest Mr Aboagye. As part of that process, a stop order was issued a week earlier to prevent him from leaving the country while investigations were ongoing.

However, the Office said Mr Aboagye had already travelled outside Ghana before the stop order could be enforced. Upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday night, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed the stop order and handed him over to EOCO on Sunday morning.

Following his arrest, Mr Aboagye accompanied investigators on a search operation on Sunday, with EOCO indicating that the exercise is expected to continue.

The Office stated that Mr Aboagye was granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana.

EOCO also disclosed that Mr Appiah was expected to satisfy his bail conditions to secure his release while investigations continue. However, his lawyers maintain that the bail terms are difficult to meet, and as of Tuesday morning, he remained in custody.

EOCO assured the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, impartially and in accordance with the law while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons involved. The Office added that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.