NPP’s Dennis ‘Miracles’ Aboagye Denies GH¢55m Corruption Allegations Following Controversial EOCO Arrest

Dennis Edward Aboagye, the former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) and a prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator, has been released on a GH¢50 million bail following his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). The arrest, which occurred at Kotoka International Airport upon Aboagye’s return from abroad, stems from an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately GH¢55 million at the IMCCoD Secretariat. Aboagye, alongside former accountant Gerald Appiah, faces potential charges including conspiracy to steal and money laundering. The investigation was reportedly triggered by a forensic audit and a petition filed by the current Executive Secretary of the committee, leading to a detention that lasted over 48 hours.

Following his release, Aboagye has strongly denied the allegations, characterizing them as a "false narrative" designed to intimidate him and sabotage his bid for the NPP’s National Communications Director position. He asserted that during his detention, there was no substantive discussion with EOCO officials regarding the GH¢55 million figure cited in media reports. Supporting this defense, Dr. Ekua Amoakoh, a spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, argued that the IMCCoD lacks the financial capacity to handle such a large sum of money, given its status as a coordinating body rather than a fully-fledged agency. Additionally, former NPP National Organiser Sammy Awuku suggested the case might be conflating a separate GH¢540,000 audit infraction—which the former accountant is reportedly refunding—with the much larger GH¢55 million allegation.

The manner of the arrest has sparked a firestorm in Parliament, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin condemning what he termed "Rambo-style" tactics by law enforcement. Afenyo-Markin called for the Attorney-General to brief the House on EOCO’s methods, warning that such aggressive detention of political figures threatens democratic values and human rights. However, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor dismissed these concerns, maintaining that EOCO acted within its mandate following a thorough investigation. He rejected the Minority’s call for a parliamentary briefing, arguing that public officials must remain accountable for financial irregularities regardless of their political standing.

The legal battle has also seen significant public demonstration, as NPP supporters gathered outside EOCO headquarters to demand Aboagye’s release, alleging political persecution. Aboagye’s legal team described the GH¢50 million bail conditions—which required three sureties and property justification—as "cruel and oppressive." While EOCO maintains that the investigation remains ongoing and professional, the political fallout continues. NPP figures like Akosua Manu have warned the current administration that the political environment is shifting, suggesting that the handling of this case may set a heavy precedent for future accountability as the nation approaches the next general elections.