Dennis Miracles Aboagye's lawyers say GH¢50 million bail conditions are 'cruel and oppressive'

Lawyers for Dennis Miracles Aboagye have declared their client unable to meet the GH¢50 million bail conditions imposed by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) following his arrest. Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea has characterized the terms as "cruel and oppressive," raising serious doubts about their practicality within the given timeframe.

Speaking outside EOCO headquarters, Atta Akyea questioned the possibility of securing the substantial bail bond, which requires three sureties, two of whom must justify their assets with properties equivalent to the bail amount. "How is he going to be released? How is he going to post the bail bonds? GH¢50 million, three sureties, two to be justified. How can it be met? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million and finding it tonight?" he asked, highlighting the immense difficulty.

The lawyer expressed concern that EOCO might exceed the constitutional 48-hour limit for detention. Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aide to the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was apprehended at Accra International Airport upon his return from abroad. EOCO alleges the arrest is connected to financial and procurement irregularities amounting to approximately GH¢55 million during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation.

He was arrested alongside the Secretariat's former accountant, Gerald Appiah, as part of an ongoing investigation. The NPP has criticized the bail conditions, with General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua decrying the "Rambo-style" arrests of opposition figures. EOCO, however, stated that Appiah has begun voluntarily refunding some funds, but emphasized that recoveries do not end the investigation or absolve suspects of criminal liability. The office assured the public of professional and impartial investigations while respecting the rights of those under scrutiny.

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How is he going to be released? How is he going to post the bail bonds? GH¢50 million, three sureties, two to be justified. How can it be met? Where are you going to find properties worth GH¢50 million and finding it tonight?