Herald Editor Cautions EOCO: Stop the Showmanship — High‑Profile Arrests Need Professionalism

Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbe, is urging the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to adopt a more professional and measured approach in handling high‑profile investigations, warning that the manner in which suspects are arrested can seriously affect public trust in Ghana’s anti‑corruption fight.

His remarks follow the arrest of former Executive Secretary of the Inter‑Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who is under investigation over alleged financial and procurement irregularities involving about GH¢55 million.

Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, July 18, Dogbe stressed that while corruption must be tackled decisively, law enforcement agencies must avoid actions that create unnecessary spectacle and political tension.

He argued that the timing and manner of Aboagye’s arrest sparked avoidable controversy, especially because it coincided with his announcement to contest for the NPP’s National Communications Director position.

“That whole arrest coinciding with his announcement to run for the NPP’s Communications Director position created too much tension and the people storming that place. His colleagues in the party as well went there to stage a protest,” he said.

Dogbe noted that the situation quickly escalated into a politically charged scene, drawing supporters and shifting attention away from the substance of the investigation.

He insisted that anti‑corruption work requires discreet, methodical interrogations, particularly when suspects are willing to cooperate.

“If we are really interested in fighting corruption and addressing infractions of the law, we should be able to invite people to have a quiet interrogation. We don’t get to the bottom of the crime with this back and forth and we fail to address crimes,” he added.

EOCO’s investigations into the alleged GH¢55 million irregularities remain ongoing.