EOCO Arrests Aboagye Over Alleged Corruption

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as “Miracles,” former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), together with the Secretariat’s former Accountant, Gerald Appiah, in connection with investigations into the suspected theft, misappropriation and diversion of about GH¢55 million in public funds.

In a press statement issued from its Accra head office and signed “EOCO,” the anti-graft agency said the arrests followed extensive investigations triggered by a petition from the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD, requesting a further probe into the findings of a forensic audit of the Secretariat’s affairs covering the period from August 1, 2022, to February 2, 2025.

According to EOCO, the inquiry commenced last year following the initial forensic audit of IMCCoD and the subsequent petition, and centres on suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to roughly GH¢55 million. Mr Aboagye, Mr Appiah and unnamed others are being investigated for a string of alleged offences, including Conspiracy to steal and stealing, Using public office for profit, Causing financial loss to the State, Dissipation of public funds, Defrauding by false pretences,
Money laundering and
Other related offences

EOCO disclosed that Mr Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding money linked to the alleged offences, describing this in the statement as “returning the loot.” The Office was careful to stress that these recoveries neither conclude the investigative process nor absolve any suspect of criminal liability.

EOCO also said Mr Aboagye was already aware of the investigation and had previously visited its offices in connection with the case. Following significant new findings last week relating to suspected fraud and theft involving him, the Office initiated an operational plan to effect his arrest this week. As part of that plan, Mr Aboagye was placed on a Stop Order a week earlier to prevent any sudden travel that could impede the investigation — but, unknown to the Office, he had already left the country.

He was them intercepted upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday night, when officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed the Stop Order and handed him over to EOCO on Sunday morning. He subsequently accompanied investigators on a search exercise on Sunday, which EOCO said was expected to continue into Monday.

EOCO confirmed that Mr Aboagye will be granted bail in accordance with the 1992 Constitution and the laws of Ghana. Mr Appiah, it said, was likewise expected to complete his bail conditions on Monday and be released while investigations continue.
The Office reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the investigations “professionally, impartially and strictly within the law,” while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons under investigation, and promised to provide further updates as appropriate.

The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, said Mr Aboagye’s lawyers were initially denied access to him and that no charges had been preferred against him at the time of his detention. NPP’s National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, also said Mr Aboagye had received no prior invitation from EOCO before the arrest. The party has described the action as politically motivated, linking it to Mr Aboagye’s criticism of the government over illegal small-scale mining (“galamsey”), and has demanded he be released or promptly arraigned in line with constitutional safeguards. NPP supporters reportedly gathered at EOCO’s offices in Accra following the arrest.

The IMCCoD is the Secretariat coordinating government efforts on decentralisation across ministries. The forensic audit at the centre of the case examined the Secretariat’s operations over an 18-month period ending in February 2025, during which Mr Aboagye served as Executive Secretary and Mr Appiah as Accountant.
Investigations are ongoing, and EOCO has indicated that further findings and updates will be communicated to the public as the process develops.

By: Joyce Owusu
Howedey.com reporter