Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has called for greater transparency from the Economic and Organised Crime Office following reports of the alleged arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye.
In a post on Facebook, Manasseh said he was aware of widespread reports in both mainstream and social media regarding the arrest but cautioned against rushing to condemn EOCO without knowing the full circumstances.
“Mainstream and social media are blazing with the alleged arrest of the opposition New Patriotic Party’s Dennis Miracles Aboagye by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).”
“I do not know why he was arrested, so it may be premature to join in condemning the arrest. Law enforcement agencies may know what the rest of us don’t know. At this point, I assume they have a valid reason for the arrest, though some past arrests of opposition figures yielded nothing in the end.”
He stressed that while investigators need not disclose every detail of an ongoing case, a brief official statement confirming the arrest and the subject of the investigation would help reduce speculation and public tension.
“In the interest of transparency and for the avoidance of misinformation and disinformation, however, our law enforcement agencies should be proactive in informing the public. I’m not saying they should put all the details of their investigations out.”
“A short statement from EOCO confirming the arrest and the subject of the arrest would inform the public and quell the speculation and tension that often accompany such arrests.”
Manasseh also criticised what he described as the recurring pattern of high-profile arrests in which suspects are allegedly held without immediate disclosure of their whereabouts or access to lawyers and family members.
“The frequent drama of arresting someone, not disclosing where he’s detained and denying him legal representation and family access should be reserved for rare incidents.”
He concluded by noting that legal proceedings ultimately depend on evidence rather than public spectacle.
“In the end, it is the weight of the evidence, and not the intensity of the drama, that will prevail in court.”
EOCO had not publicly commented on the alleged arrest at the time of publication.
