Accra: Private legal practitioner Austin Brako Powers has clarified that the court's decision to freeze Dennis Miracles Aboagye's accounts does not imply that he is guilty of any wrongdoing.
According to Ghana Web, this clarification comes in response to an order issued by the Accra High Court to freeze five bank accounts and four properties belonging to Dennis Miracles Aboagye. This action is part of an ongoing investigation by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) concerning alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving GHS55 million.
The court order currently prohibits any transactions on the accounts and the sale or transfer of the properties until the investigations are concluded. Austin Brako Powers, speaking to Class News, emphasized that the freezing order simply indicates that Miracles Aboagye is under investigation, not that he has been found guilty of committing any crime.
He elaborated that, legally, investigative bodies like EOCO have the authority to freeze assets, including bank accounts, but must obtain a confirmatory order from the High Court to do so. He also noted that Miracles Aboagye retains the right to petition the High Court to modify the order, provided he can present evidence demonstrating that the funds or properties are unrelated to the investigation.
Highlighting the purpose of the freezing order, Austin Brako Powers explained that it serves as a preservation measure designed to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent any potential interference while the investigation is ongoing.