New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator Dennis Edward 'Miracles' Aboagye has become the centre of a political and legal controversy following his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) over investigations into alleged financial irregularities under his previous leadership at the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD).

Mr Aboagye was arrested at the Accra International Airport on Saturday evening after returning to Ghana from a trip abroad.

EOCO said the investigation relates to an alleged GHS55 million financial scandal at IMCCoD involving former accountant Gerald Appiah, whom the agency says has begun refunding part of the alleged misappropriated funds.

On Tuesday, EOCO granted Mr Aboagye GHS50 million bail with three sureties, two of whom must justify the bail with properties of equivalent value. His lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, on Monday evening, described the conditions as "cruel and oppressive".

The arrest has triggered strong reactions from the NPP, with party officials accusing the government of political persecution and questioning both the timing of the arrest and the bail conditions. Hundreds of party supporters and officials picketed EOCO's headquarters, also.

Former Adentan parliamentary candidate Akosua Manu argued that Mr Aboagye had responded to questions raised after an audit at IMCCoD "within one week" and questioned why he was arrested despite voluntarily returning to Ghana.

"He returned to Ghana, and even before he travelled he was seen in public going to radio and TV stations. This was in the open. Dennis is not someone who is difficult to find," she told the media.

She also criticised the GHS50 million bail, asking: "Is this how to decide bail conditions?"

During a television discussion, Ms Manu further alleged that the government had adopted a pattern of imposing what she described as excessive bail conditions while failing to hold public officials accountable in other matters, including incidents that resulted in loss of life.

Former NPP National Organiser Sammy Awuku also questioned the basis of the case against Mr Aboagye. He argued that the audit issue involving the former IMCCoD accountant related to a payment of about GHS540,000, which he said was separate from the alleged GHS55 million case cited by EOCO.

According to Mr Awuku, he had spoken to Gerald Appiah's lawyers, who maintained that the money their client was refunding had nothing to do with Mr Aboagye. He said only GHS70,000 remained outstanding after a surcharge by the Auditor-General and that Mr Appiah had been granted a three-month payment plan.

Mr Awuku also questioned why Mr Aboagye was arrested when his lawyers were in regular contact with EOCO. He suggested the timing of the arrest was politically motivated, noting that it came shortly after Mr Aboagye had criticised the government on national issues during an appearance on Joy News' Newsfile.

He further warned government appointees to carry out their duties diligently, saying, "Just as there is accountability today, there'll be accountability tomorrow."

Following his release, Mr Aboagye issued his first public statement, insisting that EOCO never questioned him about any alleged GHS55 million scandal.

"FOR THE RECORDS: THERE WAS NO Discussion OF ANY GH¢55million cedis with me by EOCO. None!!!" he wrote on Wednesday morning.

He also linked his arrest to his decision to contest for the NPP's National Communications Director position.

"Four days ago, just one day after I declared my intention to serve our great party as National Communications Director, I was picked up and detained by EOCO," he said.

Mr Aboagye maintained that his detention had strengthened his resolve.

"Let me be clear: if the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly. I will lead New Patriotic Party's Communications Directorate to command the narrative, and no cell, no false story, no intimidation will change that," he said.

EOCO has not publicly responded to the claims made by Mr Aboagye and NPP officials. The agency says investigations into the alleged financial irregularities at IMCCoD are ongoing.