Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a senior aide to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been arrested by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) at the Accra International Airport.
The arrest, which reportedly took place on Sunday, July 12, has been confirmed by senior figures within the NPP. However, EOCO has not publicly disclosed the reasons for the arrest or announced any charges against Mr. Aboagye.
In a statement posted on Facebook, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong alleged that EOCO officers, assisted by Immigration officials, arrested Mr. Aboagye at the airport before taking him into custody.
According to Mr. Kodua, the party has been unable to establish Mr. Aboagye’s whereabouts since his arrest.
“His lawyers have been denied access to him, his whereabouts remain unknown, and no charges have been preferred against him,” he stated.
The NPP has called on EOCO to either release Mr. Aboagye immediately or arraign him before a court in accordance with the law.
Mr. Kodua also urged the authorities to grant Mr. Aboagye unrestricted access to his lawyers and family, citing Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the rights of persons held in custody.
The NPP General Secretary described the arrest as politically motivated, arguing that it followed Mr. Aboagye’s recent announcement of his intention to contest a leadership position within the party.
“Dennis Miracles Aboagye is one of the loudest and most effective critics of this government. He has asked hard questions about galamsey. He has challenged this administration’s record. He announced his candidacy for a leadership position in our party only hours ago. And now he sits in EOCO custody,” Mr. Kodua said.
He further alleged that the arrest formed part of what the party believes is a pattern of politically motivated actions against its members.
“Institutions of state are not private weapons. Ghanaians are watching, and Ghana’s institutions will outlive this government,” he added.
Mr. Kodua also appealed to party supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while the party seeks clarification on the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
At the time of publication, EOCO had not issued an official statement explaining the basis for Mr. Aboagye’s arrest or confirming whether any charges had been filed.
