The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has granted former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCOD), Dennis “Miracles” Aboagye, bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with three justified sureties.
Samuel Atta Akyea, lawyer for Miracles Aboagye, confirmed the development on Monday evening after his client met investigators.
Engaging the media in Accra, Atta Akyea described the conditions as difficult to satisfy within a short period.
“How is he going to be released? How can it be met at this critical hour? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million tonight?” he questioned.
Miracles Aboagye was arrested at the Accra International Airport after officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed a Stop Order issued by EOCO upon his arrival in the country on Saturday, July 11.
The arrest initially drew criticism from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), whose General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleged that Miracles Aboagye had been detained without being informed of any offence and that his lawyers had initially been 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.
