The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has disclosed that the former Accountant of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCOD), Gerald Appiah, has started refunding money linked to the alleged GH¢55 million financial scandal under investigation.
The revelation was contained in a statement issued by EOCO on Monday, July 13, as the Office provided an update on its ongoing investigations into alleged financial and procurement irregularities at the IMCCOD Secretariat.
According to EOCO, Mr. Appiah, together with former Executive Secretary Dennis Edward Aboagye and others, is under investigation over the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds identified in a forensic audit.
The anti-graft agency, however, stressed that the recovery of funds does not bring the case to a close.
“EOCO notes that Gerald Appiah has voluntarily begun refunding (returning the loot) of funds connected to the crimes under investigation,” the statement said.
It was quick to add that “these recoveries do not by themselves conclude the investigative process neither does it absolve any suspect of any crime.”
EOCO said the investigations stem from a petition submitted by the current Executive Secretary of IMCCOD, who requested further investigations into a forensic audit covering the period between August 1, 2022, and February 2, 2025.
The Office said the probe concerns “the suspected misappropriation, misapplication, diversion and theft of public funds amounting to about GH¢55 million.”
Mr. Appiah and Mr. Aboagye are among persons 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 and money laundering.
EOCO said Mr. Appiah is expected to satisfy his bail conditions before being released while investigations continue.
