Former Communications Director for the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as “Miracles,” has been granted bail by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following his arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial and procurement irregularities involving the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCOD).
EOCO granted Aboagye GH¢50 million bail with three justified sureties, pending the conclusion of investigations.
The bail conditions were confirmed by his lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, who criticised the terms as excessively onerous and difficult to fulfil within a short period.
“How is he going to be released? How can these bail conditions be met at this critical hour? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million and justify them tonight?” Atta Akyea questioned.
Aboagye was arrested after arriving at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, July 11, following the execution of a Stop Order by the Ghana Immigration Service acting on EOCO’s directive.
His arrest initially drew strong criticism from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong alleged that the former government official had not been formally invited by EOCO before his arrest and claimed his legal team was initially denied access to him.
The NPP further described the arrest as politically motivated, arguing that it formed part of a broader pattern of intimidation against opposition figures. Party officials subsequently called on state institutions to uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens and avoid actions that could be perceived as politically influenced.
However, EOCO has maintained that the arrest is strictly linked to an ongoing criminal investigation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the anti-graft agency explained that investigations commenced after it received a petition from the current Executive Secretary of IMCCOD requesting further inquiries into a forensic audit covering the period between August 1, 2022, and February 2, 2025.
According to EOCO, the probe centres on the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of approximately GH¢55 million in public funds.
The Office disclosed that Aboagye, former IMCCOD accountant Gerald Appiah, and other individuals are being investigated for alleged 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 also revealed that Gerald Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding some of the funds connected to the investigation, stressing that such recoveries neither conclude the investigative process nor absolve any suspect of criminal responsibility.
The agency further stated that fresh evidence uncovered last week prompted plans to arrest Aboagye. It explained that a Stop Order had been placed on him to prevent any travel that could hinder investigations, although he had already departed the country before the directive took effect.
Upon his return to Ghana, he was intercepted by immigration officials at Kotoka International Airport and subsequently handed over to EOCO investigators.
EOCO has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the investigation professionally, impartially and within the confines of the law while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons involved.