The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed that former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as Miracles, is under investigation over alleged misappropriation and diversion of about GH¢55 million in public funds.
EOCO said Mr Aboagye, together with former IMCCoD Accountant Gerald Appiah and other unnamed persons, are being investigated for alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities at the Secretariat.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, the anti-graft agency said the investigations followed a petition from the current Executive Secretary of IMCCoD seeking further probes into a forensic audit covering the period from August 1, 2022, to February 2, 2025.
The Office said the probe, which began last year after an initial forensic audit, relates to suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million.
EOCO said the suspects are being investigated for 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.
The agency further disclosed that Mr Appiah had voluntarily started refunding funds allegedly linked to the suspected offences, stressing that the recoveries did not conclude the investigations or absolve any suspect.
EOCO explained that Mr Aboagye’s arrest followed new findings uncovered last week relating to suspected fraud and theft.
The Office said it placed Mr Aboagye on a Stop Order to prevent any travel that could interfere with investigations, but later discovered that he had already travelled outside the country.
According to EOCO, officers of the Ghana Immigration Service executed the Stop Order when Mr Aboagye arrived at the Kotoka International Airport on Saturday night and handed him over to the Office on Sunday morning.
The former IMCCoD Executive Secretary subsequently assisted investigators with a search operation, with further actions expected as investigations continue.
EOCO assured the public that the rights of all suspects would be respected throughout the process, adding that Mr Aboagye would be granted bail in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Ghana.
The Office said it remained committed to conducting the investigations professionally, impartially and within the law while pursuing its mandate of investigating economic and organised crime and recovering public assets.
