THE Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) on Monday confirmed that Dennis Edward Miracles Aboagye, the former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMMCCoD) was arrested in connection with alleged stealing and misappropriation of GH¢55 million public funds.
A statement issued on Monday and copied to The Ghanaian Times, said the suspect was arrested following investigations into findings of a forensic audit at IMCCoD spanning August 1, 2022 to February 2, 2025.
Mr Aboagye, who is the former Communications Director for the campaign team of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the 2024 general election, was arrested at the Accra International Airport on Saturday night by officer Ms of the Ghana Immigration Service and handed to EOCO once Sunday morning.
According to the statement, Mr Gerald Appiah, an accountant at IMCCoD, Aboagye’s alleged co-conspirator, was already refunding the alleged stolen money.
It said both suspects would be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution, 1992.
Together, the two are being investigated for conspiracy to steal and 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.
EOCO stated that Mr Dennis Aboagye is already aware of the investigation and has visited the office on it.
It said EOCO initiated an operational plan to effect his arrest this week as part of this process.
It further stated that Mr Aboagye was placed on the Stop Order a week ago to prevent any sudden travel that could impede the investigation this week.
Unknown to the Office, EOCO stressed that the suspect had already departed the country.
It said upon his arrival at the Accra International Airport on Saturday night, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed the Stop Order and handed the suspect over to EOCO on Sunday morning.
EOCO noted that the suspect subsequently accompanied investigators on a search on Sunday which is expected to continue yesterday, Monday, July 13.
Likewise, EOCO indicated that Mr Gerald Appiah was expected to complete his bail conditions on Monday, July 13 and would be released while investigations continued.
EOCO further stated that it remained committed to conducting its investigations professionally, impartially and strictly within the law.
“The Office will continue to respect the constitutional rights of all persons under investigation while pursuing its mandate to investigate economic and organised crime and recover public assets,” the statement added.
EOCO assured the public that further updates would be provided as and when appropriate.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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