The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has confirmed the arrest of former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Miracles Aboagye. The arrest is over alleged financial and procurement irregularities. These involve approximately GH¢55 million in public funds.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, EOCO said the arrest followed investigations into the findings of a forensic audit. The audit covered the operations of the IMCCoD Secretariat. It examined the period between August 2022 and February 2025.

According to EOCO, the investigation was initiated after the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD petitioned the office to examine the audit findings. The forensic audit and subsequent investigations began last year. Furthermore, they allegedly uncovered evidence of misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds during the period under review.

EOCO said Aboagye, together with the Secretariat’s former accountant, Gerald Appiah, and other unnamed individuals, is being investigated for alleged offences. These include 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.

The anti-graft agency noted that Aboagye had been aware of the ongoing investigations and had previously honoured invitations to assist investigators. However, it said fresh findings that emerged last week prompted the decision to effect his arrest.

EOCO further disclosed that it had placed Aboagye on a Stop Order about a week earlier to prevent him from leaving the country. This measure was taken while investigations continued. However, unknown to investigators at the time, he had already travelled outside Ghana.

According to the office, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service intercepted Aboagye upon his return through Kotoka International Airport on Saturday, July 11, 2026. They handed him over to EOCO the following morning.

EOCO said Aboagye later accompanied investigators on a search operation on Sunday, July 12, with the exercise expected to continue on Monday.

Regarding Appiah, EOCO said he had voluntarily begun refunding monies linked to the alleged offences. It stressed, however, that the repayments neither conclude the investigations nor absolve any suspect of potential criminal liability.

The office said both suspects would be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana. Appiah was expected to satisfy his bail conditions on Monday and be released while investigations continue. Meanwhile, arrangements were also being made to process Mr Aboagye’s bail.

EOCO assured the public that the investigations would be conducted professionally, fairly and in accordance with the law. It will also respect the constitutional rights of all persons involved. In addition, it added that further updates would be provided as the case progresses.

Meanwhile, some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have gathered outside EOCO’s headquarters in Accra, demanding that Aboagye’s lawyers be granted access to him and calling for his release from custody.