Lawyer Abraham Amaliba says EOCO probe should remind officials of accountability
Legal Affairs Director Abraham Amaliba says the EOCO investigation into Dennis Miracles Aboagye should remind all government officials that they will be held accountable for their stewardship after leaving office.
A senior legal figure in Ghana's governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged public officials to treat the ongoing investigation into a former government appointee as a reminder that holding public office carries lasting accountability.
Abraham Amaliba, the NDC's former Director of Legal Affairs, said all government officials should expect to account for their stewardship after leaving office and should manage public resources accordingly.
His comments come amid political controversy surrounding the arrest of Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as Miracles, the former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), who is under investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over alleged financial and procurement irregularities.
Speaking on Joy FM's Top Story on Monday, Mr Amaliba said the investigation should serve as a lesson to those currently serving in government.
"Those who are in government now should know that when we leave office, similar things can happen. Whilst you are in office now, you should take a cue from what is happening and ensure that you do your things in such a way that when you leave office, you will not be called to account."
He argued that state investigative agencies have a duty to examine allegations involving the misuse of public funds, regardless of which political party is in power.
"If you misappropriate funds or refuse to protect the public purse, they will come after you. And if they come after you, you don't need to be crying because you wanted to occupy office, and once you occupy that office, you'll be asked to account for your stewardship."
Political exchanges over EOCO investigation
Mr Amaliba's remarks come as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised EOCO's arrest of Mr Aboagye, describing the investigation as politically motivated.
The former government official was arrested as part of investigations into alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving approximately GH¢55m during his tenure at IMCCoD. EOCO has granted him bail while investigations continue.
The case has intensified political tensions, with both the governing NDC and the opposition NPP trading accusations over the use of state investigative institutions.
The NPP's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, has warned that current NDC appointees could themselves face investigations if the party returns to power after the 2028 general election.
Speaking on Sunday, Mr Frimpong described Mr Aboagye's arrest as an act of political intimidation and urged government officials to remember that "power is transient".
He said NDC appointees should be prepared to account for their actions if political fortunes change.
The exchange reflects growing political debate over accountability, corruption investigations and the role of state
institutions in probing former public officials, with both major parties insisting that office holders must ultimately answer for how they managed public resources.