The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has stated that the arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye is linked to alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD).
Miracles Aboagye, a former presidential staffer and aide to New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was arrested by EOCO on Sunday at the Accra International Airport. He was arrested alongside a former accountant of the Secretariat, Gerald Appiah, EOCO said in a statement on Monday.
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According to the statement, the investigation started last year after an initial forensic audit and a petition from the current Executive Secretary of the IMCCoD.
“The investigations… concern the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion, and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million,” the statement said.
EOCO said Miracles and Appiah and other persons are being investigated for suspected 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 and money laundering.
The anti-graft agency said Mr. Aboagye was arrested after new findings emerged last week on the basis of suspected fraud and theft allegations.
“Following significant new findings last week, relating to suspected fraud and theft involving Mr. Dennis Aboagye (who is already aware of the investigation and has already visited the office on it), EOCO initiated an operational plan to effect his arrest this week.
“As part of this process, Mr. Aboagye was placed on the Stop Order a week ago to prevent any sudden travel that could impede the investigation this week. Unknown to the Office, he had already departed the country.”
EOCO additionally noted that Gerald Appiah had begun refunding funds “connected to the crimes under investigation.”