EOCO alleges ex-decentralisation chief linked to GH¢55m fraud investigation

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) says former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye, is under investigation over the alleged misappropriation and diversion of about GH¢55m in public funds.

The anti-graft agency said Mr Aboagye, popularly known as "Miracles", was arrested after arriving at Kotoka International Airport as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities at the decentralisation secretariat.

In a statement issued on Monday, EOCO said the investigation also involves the former IMCCoD accountant, Gerald Appiah, and other unnamed individuals.

The agency said the inquiry was triggered by a petition from the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD requesting further investigations following a forensic audit covering the period from August 2022 to February 2025.

EOCO said investigators were examining allegations of the "misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft" of public funds estimated at GH¢55m.

According to the agency, suspected offences under investigation include 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: Accountant has begun refunding money

The Office disclosed that former accountant Gerald Appiah had voluntarily started returning funds linked to the investigation.

However, it stressed that the repayments do not end the investigation or clear any suspect of criminal liability.

"These recoveries do not, by themselves, conclude the investigative process, neither do they absolve any suspect of any crime," EOCO said.

Arrest at airport

EOCO said new findings uncovered last week prompted investigators to move ahead with Mr Aboagye's arrest.

The agency said it had earlier placed him on a Stop Order to prevent him from leaving Ghana, but only later realised he had already travelled.

Immigration officers enforced the order when he returned through Kotoka International Airport on Saturday night before handing him over to EOCO on Sunday.

The agency said Mr Aboagye later accompanied investigators during a search operation on Sunday, with further investigative activities expected.

Bail to be granted

EOCO said both suspects would be granted bail in accordance with Ghanaian law.

It said Mr Appiah was expected to complete his bail conditions and be released while investigations continue, adding that Mr Aboagye's constitutional rights would also be respected throughout the process.

The Office insisted that the investigation would be conducted professionally, impartially and within the law.

Political controversy

Mr Aboagye's arrest sparked political debate over the weekend after the General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, alleged that he had initially been denied access to his lawyers following his arrest.

The NPP described the arrest as politically motivated and demanded either his immediate release or his arraignment before a competent court.

Other opposition figures, including Akuapem North MP Sammi Awuku, also criticised the arrest, claiming opposition politicians were increasingly being targeted.

EOCO has rejected those claims, insisting the arrest is solely linked to an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged financial and procurement offences.

The agency also dismissed suggestions that the investigation is connected to Mr Aboagye's recent announcement that he intends to contest for the NPP's National Communications Director position.