The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has granted Dennis “Miracles” Aboagye, the former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization (IMCCOD), bail in the amount of GH¢50 million, contingent upon three justified sureties. Samuel Atta Akyea, Aboagye’s lawyer, confirmed this development on Monday evening, following Aboagye’s meeting with investigators.
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In comments to the media in Accra, Atta Akyea described the bail conditions as difficult to fulfil within a short time frame. He questioned, “How is he going to be released? How can this be met at such a critical hour? Where will you find properties worth GH¢50 million tonight?” Miracles Aboagye was arrested at the Accra International Airport after officers from the Ghana Immigration Service enforced a Stop Order issued by EOCO upon his arrival in the country on Saturday, July 11.
This arrest sparked criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleged that Aboagye was detained without being informed of any charges and that his lawyers were initially denied access to him.
The party described the arrest as politically motivated and called on EOCO to respect the constitutional rights of the former official. However, EOCO, in a statement issued on Monday, said the arrest formed 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 followed 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.
EOCO said Miracles Aboagye, who served as Executive Secretary of IMCCOD during the period under review, together with the Secretariat’s former Accountant, Gerald Appiah, and other persons, were being investigated for suspected 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 and money laundering.
EOCO said Mr Appiah had voluntarily begun refunding monies linked to the investigations but noted that the repayments neither concluded the investigations nor absolved any suspect of criminal responsibility. EOCO explained that recent developments in the investigations prompted plans to arrest Miracles Aboagye. It said he had previously engaged with investigators and was aware of the ongoing probe.
The Office added that a Stop Order had been placed on Miracles Aboagye to prevent any travel that could hinder investigations, but he had already travelled outside the country before it was effected.
EOCO said after his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, immigration officers enforced the Stop Order and handed him over to investigators, after which he accompanied officials on a search related to the investigations.
Source: Bernard Ralph Adams
