The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as “Miracles”, over his alleged involvement in the suspected diversion of about GH¢55 million in public funds.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, EOCO said the arrest forms part of ongoing investigations into alleged financial and procurement irregularities at the IMCCoD Secretariat.
According to the anti-graft agency, the investigation was launched after it received 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.
EOCO disclosed that the probe focuses on the “suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million.”
EOCO said that Mr Aboagye, together with former IMCCoD accountant Gerald Appiah and other individuals, is under investigation for several alleged offences, including conspiracy to steal, misuse of public office for personal profit, causing financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, defrauding by false pretences and money laundering.
The Office also revealed that Mr Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding money linked to the alleged offences.
“Gerald Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding funds connected to the crimes under investigation. These recoveries do not by themselves conclude the investigative process, nor do they absolve any suspect of any crime,” EOCO stated.
Providing details on the arrest, EOCO said it had developed an operational plan to arrest Mr Aboagye after investigators uncovered what it described as “significant new findings” relating to suspected fraud and theft.
Although Mr Aboagye had previously cooperated with investigators and was aware of the ongoing probe, EOCO placed him on a Stop Order last week to prevent any travel that could interfere with the investigation. However, the Office later discovered that he had already left the country before the directive took effect.
According to EOCO, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service intercepted Mr Aboagye upon his arrival at Accra International Airport on Saturday night and handed him over to investigators on Sunday morning.
The agency said Mr Aboagye subsequently accompanied investigators on a search operation on Sunday, with further searches expected to continue.
EOCO stressed that despite the allegations, Mr Aboagye will be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana. It also indicated that Mr Appiah is expected to complete his bail conditions and be released while investigations continue.
“EOCO remains 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 said.
The anti-corruption agency assured the public that it will provide further updates as investigations progress.
