The High Court in Accra has granted an application by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to freeze five bank accounts and four landed properties belonging to former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD), Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as Miracles.
The order, issued on Monday, August 3, forms part of EOCO’s ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately GH¢55 million at the IMCCoD. Investigators are examining suspected fraud, theft, financial and procurement-related irregularities alleged to have occurred during Mr Aboagye’s tenure as Executive Secretary.
The preservation order restrains any transactions involving the identified bank accounts and prohibits the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposal of the affected properties until further orders of the court.
The latest development follows Mr Aboagye’s arrest at the Kotoka International Airport on July 12 upon his return to Ghana. EOCO has stated that the arrest followed significant new findings in its investigation. According to the Office, although Mr Aboagye had previously honoured invitations to assist with inquiries, a stop order had been placed on him to prevent any travel that could interfere with the ongoing investigations.
Mr Aboagye has denied all allegations against him, maintaining that he has committed no wrongdoing. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of GH¢50 million with three sureties, pending the outcome of the investigations.
EOCO has also confirmed the arrest of the committee’s former accountant, Gerald Appiah, as investigations into the alleged loss of public funds continue.
Under Ghanaian law, investigative agencies may apply to the High Court for preservation orders where there are reasonable grounds to believe that assets may be connected to suspected economic or organised crime. Such orders are intended to preserve assets pending the outcome of investigations and do not constitute a finding of criminal liability.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have yet been determined by a court in relation to the allegations.
