Lawyers for Dennis Miracles Aboagye say their client has been unable to meet the bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following his arrest, with lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea describing the terms as 'cruel and oppressive'.
Speaking to the media at EOCO's headquarters, Atta Akyea questioned how his client could realistically secure the required GH¢50 million bail bond with three sureties, two of whom must be justified, within the available timeframe.
"How is he going to be released? How is he going to post the bail bonds? GH¢50 million, three sureties, two to be justified. How can it be met? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million and finding it tonight?" he questioned.
The lawyer expressed concern that EOCO was on the verge of exceeding the 48-hour limit for detention enshrined in the Constitution.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the New Patriotic Party's flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was arrested by EOCO at the Accra International Airport upon his return from abroad. According to EOCO, the arrest is linked to alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving about GH¢55 million during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation.
He was arrested alongside the Secretariat's former accountant, Gerald Appiah, as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged irregularities.
The bail bond, which requires GH¢50 million with three sureties, two to be justified with properties of equivalent value, has drawn criticism from the NPP, with the party's General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, cautioning the government against what he described as the "Rambo-style" arrest of opposition figures.
EOCO has stated that Mr Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding some of the funds connected to the alleged offences, but noted that the recoveries do not conclude the investigations or absolve any suspect of criminal liability.
The Office assured the public that it would continue to conduct the investigations professionally, impartially and within the law while respecting the constitutional rights of all persons under investigation. It added that further updates on the case would be provided as and when appropriate.
