Percival Kofi Akpaloo, the leader of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and a 2024 presidential candidate, was taken into custody by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at his residence in Kumasi.
The Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, confirmed that Mr. Akpaloo is
under investigation for serious financial crimes. These include fraud, causing
financial loss to the state, dissipation of public funds, and money laundering.
The allegations have thrust him into one of the most high-profile financial
crime probes in Ghana in recent years.
Two days later, on Friday, September 5, the Deputy AG announced that Akpaloo
had been granted police bail. The conditions of the bail were strict: a bond of
ten million Ghana cedis and two sureties who must be justified. However,
despite the bail being granted, Akpaloo remains in EOCO custody because the
requirements have not yet been satisfied. Neither the bond has been posted nor
the sureties verified, meaning the legal process of his release is incomplete.
This situation has led to questions about why EOCO continues to hold him.
The answer lies in the procedural nature of bail under Ghanaian law. Being
granted bail does not automatically translate into freedom; the suspect must
meet every condition set by the police or the courts. EOCO is therefore
mandated to keep Akpaloo in custody until all requirements are properly
fulfilled. The purpose is to ensure the integrity of the investigation and
guarantee the suspect’s availability for further questioning or trial.
The case reflects Ghana’s growing determination to demand accountability,
even from prominent political leaders. While Akpaloo’s arrest demonstrates that
alleged financial misconduct is being pursued without fear or favor, the
granting of bail also shows that due process is being observed. Yet, the fact
that he remains in custody emphasizes the importance the justice system places
on strict compliance with bail procedures.
In the end, the unfolding events around Kofi Akpaloo’s arrest highlight the
delicate balance between upholding civil liberties and safeguarding the legal
system’s credibility in the fight against corruption.