Dennis Miracles Aboagye has been released after meeting the GH¢50 million bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with his lawyer accusing the state agency of using excessive bail conditions to prolong his detention.
Speaking with Moro Awudu on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, Wednesday, July 15, lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea criticised EOCO’s handling of the case, describing the bail terms as unreasonable and alleging that the agency’s actions amounted to an abuse of power.
According to him, although Aboagye was not subjected to torture while in custody, the period of detention was distressing for both him and his family.
Mr Atta Akyea said securing the bail was particularly challenging because the conditions required three sureties, with two expected to justify the GH¢50 million bail using property.
He argued that the conditions were difficult to satisfy, especially after the bail terms were communicated close to 8 p.m., leaving little time to assemble the required documentation and property owners.
“It is not easy for an ordinary person to meet such conditions. Dennis was only able to do so because people who know and trust him were willing to support him,” he said.
The lawyer maintained that the Constitution requires bail conditions to be reasonable and intended only to ensure that a suspect returns to assist investigations or appears before the appropriate authority when required.
He argued that investigators should not tie bail amounts to the value of the alleged offence under investigation, saying such an approach effectively keeps suspects in custody if they cannot meet the conditions.
“When investigators say they are probing a case involving hundreds of millions of dollars, it does not mean the suspect should provide property of the same value before being granted bail. That is not the intention of the Constitution,” he said.
Mr Atta Akyea described the practice as a “wretched power play”, claiming it was being used to extend detention rather than facilitate investigations.
He further alleged that Aboagye had not been formally charged and that investigations were still ongoing.
According to him, Aboagye had previously honoured invitations from EOCO voluntarily and was unaware of any stop order before he was arrested at the airport.
The lawyer questioned why his client was arrested instead of being invited for questioning, adding that he was held for nearly 48 hours without being interrogated.
He described the conduct as unnecessary and unprofessional, insisting that a simple invitation through his lawyers would have achieved the same purpose without depriving him of his liberty.
EOCO has not publicly responded to the allegations made by Mr Atta Akyea. The investigations involving Mr Aboagye remain ongoing, and no formal charges have been announced.
Background
EOCO arrested Dennis Miracles Aboagye in connection with investigations into the alleged misappropriation of about GH¢55 million at the Secretariat. The arrest, according to EOCO, followed months of investigations into alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities at the Secretariat and also involves the former Accountant of IMCCoD, Gerald Appiah, who is under investigation over the same matter.
A statement issued by EOCO dated July 13 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.
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 has 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.
EOCO explained that following fresh findings last week relating to 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.
