Some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) yesterday stormed the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), demanding the release of one of its leading communicators, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, also known as "Miracles".
Mr Aboagye, a former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), was arrested last Saturday in connection with investigations into the alleged misappropriation of about GH¢55 million at the Secretariat.
The arrest, EOCO said, followed months of investigations into alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities at the Secretariat, which also involve the former Accountant of IMCCoD, Gerald Appiah, who is under investigation in connection with the same matter.
A statement issued by EOCO yesterday said the investigations stemmed from a petition submitted by the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD requesting further investigations into a forensic audit covering the period between August 1, 2022, and February 2, 2025.
It said the investigations, which commenced last year after an initial forensic audit, centred on the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million.
Protest
The arrest has attracted condemnation from the NPP and some of its leaders, as well as protests from the party supporters.
The protestors gathered outside the headquarters of EOCO to demand the immediate release of Miracles, who is also the spokesperson for former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
The NPP's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, in condemning the arrest, has also called on the authorities to grant him unrestricted access to his lawyers and family, citing Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution on the rights of persons in custody.
He further expressed concern that the arrest appeared to be part of a pattern of actions targeting members of the NPP.
Alleged offences
EOCO said Mr Aboagye, Mr Appiah and other persons were being investigated for conspiracy to steal, stealing, using public office for profit, causing financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, defrauding by false pretences, money laundering and other suspected offences.
According to the statement, Mr Appiah had voluntarily begun refunding some of the funds connected to the alleged offences.
It, however, said the recoveries did not conclude the investigations or absolve any suspect of criminal liability.
Arrest
EOCO explained that following fresh findings last week regarding the alleged fraud and theft, it activated an operational plan to arrest Mr Aboagye.
It said a stop order had been placed on him a week earlier to prevent any travel that could affect the investigations.
The EOCO, however, said that, unknown to investigators, Mr Aboagye had already travelled outside the country before the order was effected.
It said that upon his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport last Saturday night, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed the stop order and handed him over to EOCO on Sunday morning.
The statement added that Mr Aboagye subsequently accompanied investigators on a search operation last Sunday, with the exercise expected to continue.
Bail
EOCO said Mr Aboagye would be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana.
It also said Mr Appiah was expected to complete his bail conditions to secure his release while investigations continued.
