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Tag: Cecilia Dapaah

  • Court orders OSP to release Cecilia Dapaah’s caution statements to her former housekeeper

    Court orders OSP to release Cecilia Dapaah’s caution statements to her former housekeeper

    Accra High Court has ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to release the investigation caution and charge statements of former sanitation minister Cecilia Dapaah and her husband to Patience Botwe, the primary accused in an ongoing theft trial.

    Botwe, a former house help, is accused of stealing large sums of money from Dapaah’s residence. Her legal team filed an application requesting access to these documents, claiming they were crucial for her defence.

    Botwe’s lawyers argued that the statements were vital for effectively cross-examining Dapaah and her husband, key witnesses in the case. Previously, they attempted to obtain the documents through a Right to Information (RTI) Act request, but the OSP denied it, citing exemptions.

    In response, Botwe’s legal team sought a court ruling to compel the release of the documents. The OSP opposed the request, arguing that it was premature and that the court’s jurisdiction had been improperly invoked.

    However, Justice Marie-Louis Simmons dismissed these objections, emphasising the court’s duty to ensure a fair trial.

    Justice Simmons cited Article 19(2)(e)(g) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person’s right to adequately prepare a defence.

    She stated that access to the requested documents was crucial for Botwe’s defence, especially in light of inconsistencies in the accounts provided by Dapaah and her husband regarding the source of the stolen funds.

    The court ruled that withholding these documents would undermine the accused’s ability to challenge the prosecution’s case. However, the court denied Botwe’s request for recordings and transcripts of the interrogations, noting that they were not essential at this stage of the trial.

    The OSP was instructed to provide the requested documents within a week, allowing Botwe’s legal team adequate time to prepare for cross-examination.

  • I have never voted for John Mahama – Martin Kpebu confesses

    I have never voted for John Mahama – Martin Kpebu confesses

    Lawyer Martin Kpebu has confessed that he has never casted his vote for John Dramani Mahama in any election conducted over the years.

    According to him, president Akufo-Addo is the man who won his vote because he considered him as a man who truly had the interest of Ghanaians at heart.

    However, he has regretted his decision because Akufo-Addo has been nothing short of a disappointment.

    “If anything at it is Akufo-Addo I voted for. Me I have never voted for JM. Never! I have never voted for JM. It’s Akufo-Addo. Because we all knew he was junior Jesus and he will do everything. Little did we know that he is more corrupt than JM. So you, you’ll think I will let this matter die. We will deal with him till he is no longer in office. And even beyond that… Because he deceived us..He promise that “we are miserable” yet we are sitting on money. And then “you come and rather, your bought V8 and your family is becoming richer.” I am talking about president Akufo Addo, his ministers, Ofori Atta etc. Now ministers buying hotels of $61bn. Cecilia Dapaah with plenty cash under her bed. Boakye Agyarko sacked because the president tried to take away $800m,”

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo anticipates economic recovery and has expressed confidence that Ghana will finalize discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding a potential financial assistance program by March.

    He noted that while the government’s debt exchange initiative faced numerous challenges initially, it has since gained considerable acceptance among the populace. These remarks were made during a visit by German Federal Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, to the Jubilee House.

    “We have already taken one important step forward in concluding a staff-level agreement with the IMF. One of the steps was the domestic debt exchange programme which encountered a lot of difficulties but has now been virtually concluded…We are now looking towards going the full hall and concluding the agreement. We’re hoping that will be done by the middle of March,” President Akufo-Addo said.

  • More troubles for Cecilia Dapaah as CHRAJ is petitioned to launch investigation

    More troubles for Cecilia Dapaah as CHRAJ is petitioned to launch investigation

    Five people have submitted a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), urging an investigation into former Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, over allegations of acquiring assets disproportionate to her income.

    The petitioners include Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, Mensah Thompson, Al-Hassan Kwadwo Baidoo, Ransford Antwi, and Joyce Atitso.

    Madam Dapaah attracted widespread media and public scrutiny following reports of a burglary at her residence involving significant sums of money and jewellery.

    Stolen items included $1 million, €300,000, GH¢350,000, luxury handbags valued at $35,000, and jewellery worth $95,000.

    Amidst the controversy surrounding the theft, Madam Dapaah resigned from her ministerial position in July 2023.

    Subsequently, officers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) arrested her after discovering over GH¢48 million in her accounts.

    Following a collaborative investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) spanning almost seven months, the OSP dropped charges against her due to insufficient evidence and transferred the case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

    However, EOCO returned the docket to the OSP, citing a lack of evidence.

    In their petition dated May 20, the petitioners have requested that CHRAJ conduct a thorough investigation into Madam Dapaah’s assets, including the $1 million, €300,000, and GH¢350,000 mentioned.

    “…More importantly, we are fortified in the need for this investigation because, during interrogation by the OSP as to the source of her income, Madam Cecilia Dapaah could not give any proper explanation.”

  • You won’t stash money in your home if you love Ghana – Ga Mantse on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    You won’t stash money in your home if you love Ghana – Ga Mantse on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has expressed strong disapproval over the recent scandal involving the former Minister of Sanitation, who was discovered with large amounts of cash at home.

    He stressed that such behavior is unbecoming of a public official and should be condemned by all responsible Ghanaians.

    In an interview with Citi FM on Sunday, June 2, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II emphasized that those engaging in such conduct do not have the nation’s best interests at heart.

    He asserted that these behaviors reveal a lack of patriotism and disregard for the country’s welfare.

    The King firmly stated that individuals exhibiting such self-serving tendencies are unfit for leadership positions.

    He expressed concern that permitting such individuals to lead would lead to further exploitation of state resources for personal gain.

    “It beats my mind how someone who says they love this country so much could stash so much money in their room.

    “Corruption is everywhere. I believe that the government must find a way to stamp its authority on corruption.”

    King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II also highlighted the initiatives of the Ga Mantse Foundation in supporting education in Accra.

    He mentioned that his office has donated thousands of starter packs to school children, aiming to enhance their educational experience.

    “I could’ve used all that money to live in luxury, buy a V8, or do whatever. But I’m interested in the welfare of my people,” he added.

  • Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe expresses disappointment in Sam Okudzeto’s comments on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe expresses disappointment in Sam Okudzeto’s comments on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has voiced his surprise and disappointment at the comments made by esteemed lawyer Sam Okudzeto concerning the corruption allegations against Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.

    He criticized Okudzeto’s remarks, which seemed to defend the former minister, stating that such comments are inappropriate given his stature and should be condemned.

    Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe stressed the crucial need for holding government officials accountable, especially in corruption cases, to maintain transparency and integrity within the system.

    “I was surprised that my senior brother Sam Okudzeto came out with a statement concerning the Cecilia Dapaah case. I was really surprised. I know that I’m not annoyed. But I was surprised because if anybody even has a glass, the person should be able to account for it.

    “And we have buildings springing up all over their places. Do you want to tell me that they just got there? People put them there. Where did they get their money from? And these are the things that annoy the ordinary people,” he said while speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey.

    It is important to note that Sam Okudzeto previously asserted that storing money at home is not illegal, as there are no laws against it.

    His defense of Cecilia Dapaah, who is currently under investigation for corruption, has sparked considerable criticism.

    Background:

    Cecilia Dapaah is under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for corruption and related offenses after two of her house helps were arrested for allegedly stealing over $1 million, €300,000, and other valuables from her Abelemkpe residence.

    An Accra High Court initially ordered the release of Dapaah’s frozen accounts and the return of her confiscated funds. However, on September 5, 2023, the OSP re-froze her accounts.

    On August 9, 2023, it was reported that the OSP had frozen the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources’ assets and bank accounts, which contained substantial amounts in both dollars and cedis.

    On October 16, 2023, the OSP lifted the freeze on five of Dapaah’s bank accounts.

    The office clarified that while these five accounts have been released, the freeze remains in place on her other bank accounts and financial assets.

  • A-G, EOCO suspect Cecilia Dapaah can’t explain the source of her money – Domelevo on money laundering claims

    A-G, EOCO suspect Cecilia Dapaah can’t explain the source of her money – Domelevo on money laundering claims

    Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelovo has suggested that the Attorney-General’s Office and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) hesitated to investigate Madam Cecilia Dapaah for money laundering, knowing she could not account for the source of her funds.

    He believes EOCO deliberately requested irrelevant documents despite having sufficient evidence to probe potential money laundering activities.

    In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Domelovo emphasized that such hesitation is unjustified, as state agencies are mandated to perform their duties independently and without bias.

    “It is very clear to the AG and EOCO the likelihood of the inability of Cecilia Dapaah to explain the source of the money. 

    “If they commenced money-laundering investigation and she is not able to explain, she will fall foul of section 1 and section 3 of the anti-money laundering law. That is why they are reluctant to even commence any investigation relating to money laundering,” the anti-graft campaigner said.

    Former Majority Leader Cletus Avoka also criticized EOCO’s handling of the investigation into the stash of money found in the house of the former Sanitation Minister, describing the state agency’s conduct as a travesty of justice.

    The Member of Parliament for Zebilla East emphasized that the former Sanitation Minister must undergo a thorough investigation without any bias or preferential treatment.

    “It is corruption for EOCO to say that there was  nothing wrong with the incident. I think the government must do more about this incident. Frankly speaking EOCO’s treatment of the Cecilia Dapaah case is a travesty of justice,” he said.

  • Let’s celebrate Kissi Agyebeng for his role in Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Kpebu

    Let’s celebrate Kissi Agyebeng for his role in Cecilia Dapaah’s case – Kpebu

    Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has lauded Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng for his decision to accuse former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband of money laundering.

    Kpebu noted that Agyebeng could have overlooked the money laundering possibility since his office was only mandated to investigate corruption. However, he chose to address the suspicious activities, demonstrating his commitment to his role.

    In a statement reported by myjoyonline.com, Kpebu said, “If anything at all, we should be commending Kissi Agyebeng exceedingly. We should be giving a high round of applause to Kissi Agyebeng for blowing the whistle that, hey, this thing looks like money laundering.

    “You know, he could have just kept quiet. ‘I am mandated to do corruption; I did not find corruption and corruption-related offences, so case closed.’ But as he was saying case closed, he also said, ‘But I see money laundering,’ so we have to applaud Kissi Agyebeng and the OSP for a yeoman’s job,”

    Background on Cecilia Dapaah’s Case:


    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) recently closed its case against Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor, who faced accusations of corruption after their house helps allegedly stole $1 million and €300,000 in cash, along with other valuables, from their residence in Abelemkpe.

    Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng concluded that his office lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute the case further and referred it to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), suspecting the large sums of money found might be linked to money laundering.

    However, EOCO returned the case dockets following advice from the Attorney General’s Office, stating the referral for money laundering lacked basis.

    Attorney General Godfred Dame also stated that there was no evidence of corruption or procurement breaches against Dapaah and her husband.

    Petition for Special Prosecutor’s Removal:
    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has forwarded a petition for the removal of Kissi Agyebeng as Special Prosecutor to the Chief Justice. The petition, presented by former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu, cited procurement irregularities, alleged misconduct involving judges, infringement of citizens’ rights, and improper staff appointments.

    Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is currently assessing whether there is sufficient evidence to form a committee for Agyebeng’s potential impeachment, and she has asked the Special Prosecutor to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

  • Gyampo, Domelevo, others petition Parliament to probe EOCO’s conduct over Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Gyampo, Domelevo, others petition Parliament to probe EOCO’s conduct over Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Several prominent Ghanaians, including former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, have petitioned Parliament for a bipartisan investigation into the conduct of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) regarding the investigation into the discovery of a large sum of money at the residence of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    The group, which also includes outspoken anti-corruption campaigner Martin Kpebu, security analyst Dr. Adam Bona, academic Professor Ransford Gyampo, and over 100 other individuals from various backgrounds, argues in their petition that EOCO had sufficient grounds to investigate the former Minister for money laundering.

    They assert that she has been inconsistent and unable to provide a credible source for the significant amount of money seized at her residence by the Special Prosecutor.

    “The failure to explain the source of the money should have been the cornerstone of the investigation,” the petition which was submitted to Parliament on Thursday, May 16, 2024, noted among others.

    It also raised concerns about what the group described as the deliberate refusal by EOCO to take steps to protect the money which had been seized from the residence of the former minister by the OSP.

    “Upon receipt of the docket, EOCO did not act timeously to seize the money that the OSP was returning to Madam Cecilia Dapaah as publicly stated by the OSP”.

    The petition further highlighted inconsistencies in EOCO’s public statements and actions during the investigation.

    This development arises amidst a standoff between state anti-corruption agencies probing the former Minister regarding the money stash.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has previously stated that EOCO appears reluctant to investigate the matter, despite receiving detailed information from the OSP.

  • Martin Kpebu, Domelevo, Prof. Gyampo, others petition Parliament to probe EOCO over Cecilia Dapaah saga

    Martin Kpebu, Domelevo, Prof. Gyampo, others petition Parliament to probe EOCO over Cecilia Dapaah saga

    A group of prominent Ghanaians, including former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has petitioned Parliament to conduct a bipartisan probe into the conduct of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) regarding the investigation of the large sum of money found at the residence of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    The group, which also includes outspoken anti-graft campaigner Martin Kpebu, security analyst Dr. Adam Bona, academic Professor Ransford Gyampo, and over 100 other Ghanaians from various sectors, argues in their petition that EOCO had sufficient grounds to investigate the former Minister for money laundering.

    They contend that she has been inconsistent and unable to provide a credible source for the large amount of money seized at her residence by the Special Prosecutor.

    “The failure to explain the source of the money should have been the cornerstone of the investigation,” the petition which was submitted to Parliament on Thursday, May 16, 2024, noted among others.

    The group also raised concerns about what they described as EOCO’s deliberate refusal to take steps to protect the money seized from the residence of the former minister by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    “Upon receipt of the docket, EOCO did not act timeously to seize the money that the OSP was returning to Madam Cecilia Dapaah as publicly stated by the OSP”.

    The petition also highlighted EOCO’s inconsistency in their public commentary and actions during the investigation. This development comes amid the standoff between state anti-corruption agencies investigating the former Minister over the stash of money.

    The OSP has stated on record that EOCO lacks the willingness to probe the matter, despite the detailed information shared with them.

    Petition-to-Parliament-on-EOCODownload
  • Monies stolen from us were saved for 20 years – Cecilia Dapaah’s husband tells court

    Monies stolen from us were saved for 20 years – Cecilia Dapaah’s husband tells court

    In testimony before the High Court in Accra, Daniel Osei-Kufuor, husband of former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, revealed that over the past two decades, they began depositing money stolen from their storeroom.

    Mr Osei-Kufuor stated that these funds belonged to himself, his wife (Cecilia Abena Dapaah), his wife’s family, and his niece, who was also his client.

    Osei-Kufuor, acting as the first prosecution witness, alleged that Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, former housemaids, along with five others, conspired to pilfer their money.

    “Later on at one of the confrontations where we were present, A1 (Patience Botwe) stated that the method adopted was that A2 (Sarah Agyei) would be in the room operating and A1 (Botwe) would be at the gate watching out and then A3 (Benjamin Sowah) supplied the main keys of the House for A1 (Botwe) to cut duplicate keys,” he told the Court under cross-examination.

    When questioned further during cross-examination on May 15, Osei-Kufuor affirmed that the practice of depositing money in the storeroom had been ongoing for the past two decades.

    He elaborated on the methods employed by the accused individuals to carry out the theft, mentioning that Sarah Agyei would operate in the room while Patience Botwe acted as a lookout at the gate, facilitated by Benjamin Sowah who supplied duplicate keys.

    The accused individuals, including Patience Botwe, Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila, have denied multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to steal to money laundering.

    Despite being granted bail, they remain in custody due to their inability to meet bail conditions.

    Osei-Kufuor, an 81-year-old professional architect with over five decades of experience, asserted that the accused stole two sets of US$210,000 and US$200,000, along with £300,000, GH¢300,000 in contributions towards Cecilia Dapaah’s late mother’s funeral, and an additional GH¢50,000 belonging to his wife.

    “Subsequently, my wife and I found out that some of our valuables, as well as huge sums of money, had been stolen from the storeroom.

    “This included an amount of 210,000 US Dollars which belonged to my wife’s deceased brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II alias Charles Dapaah,” he said.

    Other monies he said were stolen from their storeroom were: “Two hundred thousand US Dollars ($200,000 USD) belonging to Dorcas Wiredua, my niece who is also my client.

    “Three Hundred Thousand Euros (£300,000) belonging to me,” and “Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc300,000) being contributions that my wife’s siblings and she made towards the funeral of her late mother.

    “Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc50,000) belonging to my wife,” he stated.

    EIB network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, reported from the courtroom that lawyers of Benjamin Sowah, the third accused, have been directed to cross-examine the witness on May 20 by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the presiding judge, following the conclusion of cross-examination by Counsel for Sarah Agyei, Augustine Gyamfi.

  • GHS50K is for my wife, £300K is mine, GHS300K is funeral donation – Cecilia Dapaah’s husband tells court

    GHS50K is for my wife, £300K is mine, GHS300K is funeral donation – Cecilia Dapaah’s husband tells court

    Daniel Osei-Kufuor, spouse of the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah has identified the beneficiaries of the stolen funds from their residence in Ablemkpe, Accra.

    Testifying in an Accra High Court session concerning the theft case involving their two housemaids, Osei-Kufuor affirmed that the money belonged to various individuals, with the ex-minister’s share amounting to only 50,000 cedis.

    Besides his spouse, the funds were allocated to himself, his wife’s family (for funeral expenses), and his niece, who was also a client.

    Osei-Kufuor serves as the primary prosecution witness in the case involving the two maids, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, along with five others.

    During further cross-examination on Wednesday, May 15, Counsel for Sarah Agyei (2nd accused) queried the witness about the duration the funds were kept in the storeroom.

    According to GhanaWeb’s analysis, the stolen funds totaled about 410,000 US dollars, contrary to the initial claim of one million dollars in the police statement.

    Breakdown of ownership of the stolen funds:

    US$210,000 – Belonging to the deceased brother of Osei-Kufuor’s wife.

    US$200,000 – Dorcas Wiredua, Osei-Kufuor’s niece and client.

    £300,000 – Osei-Kufuor’s own funds.

    GH¢300,000 – Contributions from Cecilia Dapaah’s siblings for the funeral of her late mother.

    GH¢50,000 – Belonging to Cecilia Dapaah.

    As reported by Starr FM, Osei-Kufuor stated in court: “Subsequently, my wife and I found out that some of our valuables, as well as huge sums of money, had been stolen from the storeroom.

    What he told the court according to Starr FM report:

    “Subsequently, my wife and I found out that some of our valuables, as well as huge sums of money, had been stolen from the storeroom.

    “This included an amount of 210,000 US Dollars which belonged to my wife’s deceased brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II alias Charles Dapaah,” he said.

    Other monies he said were stolen from their storeroom were: “Two hundred thousand US Dollars ($200,000 USD) belonging to Dorcas Wiredua, my niece who is also my client.

    “Three Hundred Thousand Euros (£300,000) belonging to me,” and “Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc300,000) being contributions that my wife’s siblings and she made towards the funeral of her late mother.

    “Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHc50,000) belonging to my wife,” he stated.

    Although granted bail, Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30, alongside Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, and Yahaya Sumaila, remain in custody after failing to meet their bail conditions.

    EIB network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, who was in Court, reports that lawyers of Benjamin Sowah, 3rd Accused, have been instructed to cross-examine the Witness on May 20, as directed by Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the presiding judge, following the conclusion of Counsel for Sarah Agyei, Augustine Gyamfi’s cross-examination.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s $1m which was GHC6m in 2021 is worth GHC14m today, she kept it for profit – NDC’s Malik

    Cecilia Dapaah’s $1m which was GHC6m in 2021 is worth GHC14m today, she kept it for profit – NDC’s Malik

    Deputy National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has noted that the reason former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, kept over a million dollars in her home was because she wanted to accrue enough profit over time.

    In an interview on TV3, Mr Basintale noted in 2021, the over a million dollars stolen from the home of Cecilia Dapaah by her house helps was worth around GHC6 million.

    However, in 2024, the same amount is worth over GHC14 million. He asserts that the former minister together with other government appointees are starching huge sums of dollars to enable them earn more due to the depreciation of the Ghana cedi.

    “Your appointees are busy making profit from the dollar-cedi ratio. Cecilia Dapaah’s $1 million, if it was under her bed in 2021 it meant that the equivalent of that was around GH6 million. If she didn’t touch that, today the equivalent of that is GHC14.6 million. Do you know the profit she has made in three years.”

    “So the appointees of President Akufo-Addo have deliberately decided to stuff dollars under their beds,” he said.

    The Ghana cedi is expected to face further depreciation against major trading currencies this week due to persistent corporate demand, as noted by currency analysts and traders who requested anonymity.

    They attribute the cedi’s weakened performance to both internal and external factors, including the strengthening US dollar against Emerging Markets currencies.

    April 2024 witnessed a slight decrease in inflation to 25% year-on-year from March 2024’s rate of 25.8%, largely driven by a reduction in food inflation to 26.8%.

    Some analysts anticipate potential inflationary pressures, which could stimulate additional speculative demand for the US dollar, consequently weakening the cedi. The cedi has been among the worst-performing currencies globally this year.

  • EOCO’s intention is to terminate Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case – Adam Bona

    EOCO’s intention is to terminate Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case – Adam Bona

    Security analyst Dr. Adam Bona has urged the Speaker of Parliament to launch an investigation into the actions of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the discovery of money at the residence of former Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    Dr. Bona criticized EOCO for allegedly returning the money to Cecilia Dapaah without conducting a thorough investigation after the expiration of the warrant issued by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    In a recorded video, the security analyst emphasized the importance of a bipartisan parliamentary inquiry to uncover the truth behind EOCO’s conduct and other issues within the anti-fraud agency.

    “I’m calling on the Right Hon. Speaker of Parliament to institute a probe into the Cecelia Dapaah cash saga. I have a feeling EOCO is not telling us the truth. I now can say with certainty that EOCO has also become the headquarters of corruption. There’s the need to investigate what happened between these two institutions under the executive; EOCO and Special Prosecutor are all under the Attorney General and so to have EOCO being handed the file to investigate this under money laundering which falls under them and to have them come back to tell us that they couldn’t do anything about it is mind boggling and so as citizen and not a spectator I will ask Parliament to institute a probe into them”.

    “There are a lot of things going on at EOCO that some of us find unfortunate. The boss of EOCO is not telling Ghanaians the truth, she is telling us half-truths about the money we are talking about,” he noted

    Expressing concern over alleged misconduct at EOCO, Dr. Bona highlighted the need for transparency and accountability, particularly regarding the handling of the Cecilia Dapaah cash saga.

    He called for scrutiny into the relationship between EOCO and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, both of which operate under the Attorney General’s purview, questioning why EOCO failed to take action despite being tasked with investigating potential money laundering.

    Dr. Bona underscored the significance of shedding light on undisclosed activities at EOCO through a thorough probe, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement in promoting accountability.

    The public exchange between EOCO and the Office of the Special Prosecutor in recent weeks has fueled speculation and calls for greater scrutiny into their respective roles in investigating the origins of the substantial sum of money discovered at the former Sanitation Minister’s residence.

  • I find it unfortunate – Domelevo on Sam Okudzeto’s defence of Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    I find it unfortunate – Domelevo on Sam Okudzeto’s defence of Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo has criticised Sam Okudzeto, a member of the Council of State, for asserting that former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, committed no crime by stashing substantial amounts of both local and foreign currencies in her residence, according to myjoyonline.com.

    Domelevo expressed disappointment in the Council of State member’s remarks, highlighting that even if the former minister’s actions weren’t unlawful, the decision to house such funds raises significant concerns that should concern all Ghanaians.

    He also emphasised the contradiction of the minister holding large sums of money at her home while the government she was part of encouraged citizens to deposit their money in financial institutions.

    “I find it unfortunate… my position will not be based on law, but at least being a public figure and a leader in government talking about ensuring that we all use the financial sector, keeping that amount of money in the house may not be legally wrong, but I think it is questionable,” he is quoted as having said on Joy News’ Upfront on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

    What Sam Okudzeto said:

    Veteran Ghanaian lawyer Sam Okudzeto, reacting to the brouhaha surrounding the investigation of Cecilia Dapaah, who has been accused of corruption and money laundering after two of her house helps were charged with stealing more than $1 million; €300,000 in cash and other valuable items from her residence in Abelemkpe, slammed the critics of the former minister.

    According to him, no law criminalises the stashing of cash at home; hence, she cannot be accused of wrongdoing without providing evidence to back the claims. He stated that Ghanaians have not been fair to the former sanitation minister, as many have made harsh criticisms of her after it emerged that she had been keeping large sums of money in her house.

    “The question is, if you come, and you find money with me, do I owe any duty to you to explain whose money it is? When nobody has complained that I have stolen their money—over a million—what difference does it make? Foreign currency?

    “Look, Ghanaians are not honest people. When you see all these huge buildings that they are building, nobody asks them where they got the money from, when they started them, or when they were completed. Nobody does,” he said in an interview with TV3.

    He asserted that no law bars individuals from stashing money at home until substantial evidence is provided.

    “Do lawyers convict people on circumstantial evidence? When you go to the criminal court, you must establish the issues beyond all reasonable doubt. That’s what the criminal law says. The criminal law is not based upon suspicion or mere allegation,” he added.

  • Hypocrites! Which law criminalises money stashing in Ghana? – Sam Okudzeto rebukes critics

    Hypocrites! Which law criminalises money stashing in Ghana? – Sam Okudzeto rebukes critics

    Veteran Ghanaian lawyer, Sam Okudzeto, has come to the defence of former Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Dapaah, amidst allegations that she stored money in her residence.

    According to him, there is no law that prohibits the storing of cash at home; thus, she cannot be accused of any wrongdoing without evidence to substantiate the claims.

    Okudzeto emphasised that Ghanaians have been unjust to the former minister, subjecting her to harsh criticism after revelations of her keeping substantial sums of money in her house.

    The matter escalated into a legal issue following reports of missing funds, prompting police involvement.

    “The question is, if you come and you find money with me, do I owe any duty to you to explain whose money? When nobody has complained that I have stolen his money—over a million—what difference does it make? Foreign currency?

    “Look, Ghanaians are not honest people. When you see all these huge buildings that they are building,. Nobody asked them where they got the money from, when they started it, or when it was completed. Nobody does,” he said in an interview with TV3.

    He asserted that no law bars individuals from stashing monies at home until substantial evidence is provided.

    “Do the lawyers convict people on circumstantial evidence? When you go to the criminal court, you must establish the issues beyond all reasonable doubt. That’s what the criminal law says. The criminal law is not based upon suspicion or a mere allegation,” he added.

    Background:

    Cecilia Dapaah is currently under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for alleged corruption and related offences. This follows charges brought against two of her house helps for stealing over $1 million, €300,000, and other valuables from her residence in Abelemkpe.

    The OSP took action to freeze Dapaah’s accounts for a second time on September 5, 2023, after an initial freeze order was lifted by the Accra High Court, directing the return of her seized assets and funds.

    Earlier, on August 9, 2023, GhanaWeb reported that the OSP had frozen Dapaah’s assets and bank accounts containing millions of dollars and cedis.

    Subsequently, on October 16, 2023, the OSP revoked the freeze order on five of Dapaah’s bank accounts. However, the freezing directive remains in effect for her other accounts and financial assets, as stated by the office.

  • Special Prosecutor’s conduct in Cecilia Dapaah’s case is disappointing – Lawyer

    Special Prosecutor’s conduct in Cecilia Dapaah’s case is disappointing – Lawyer

    In a recent development regarding the Cecilia Dapaah case, Constitutional Lawyer Kwame Adofo has criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for the challenges faced in handling the matter.

    Adofo expressed concerns that the integrity of this “significant case” is at risk of being compromised due to the OSP’s failure to conduct thorough investigations and submit proper reports before alleging that the millions found in Cecilia Dapaah’s office and home constitute laundered money.

    “The Special prosecutor was asked to submit his report on the investigation conducted that says her money is laundered, but he couldn’t provide that report because no investigation was conducted,” he told Nana Yaa Brefo and Isaac Ekow JB, Yen Nsempa, Onua FM.

    Elaborating on this, he explained, “The law states that as a Special Prosecutor, if you investigate and see that the money is tainted money, he has 7 days to go to court and report the issue immediately for the needed actions to be taken but the OSP did not do this. He waited for more than 14 days before even going to court, meaning the laws he is supposed to work with, he did not comply with it, he faulted it.”

    Mr Adofo further revealed that upon realizing the mishandling of the case, the OSP resorted to alleging “money laundering” and transferred the case to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) as a cover-up.

    Explaining this he said, “The law states that as a Special Prosecutor, if you investigate and see that the money is tainted money, he has 7 days to go to court and report the issue immediately for the needed actions to be taken but the OSP did not do this. He waited for more than 14 days before even going to court, meaning the laws he is supposed to work with, he did not comply with it, he faulted it.”

    Adding that “because he delayed, the Court told him he has faulted hence the OSP had no case and had to return the millions of money to Cecilia Dapaah, and he did not appeal to the Court either.”

  • Why should Cecilia Dapaah account for her finances when no one has reported of missing funds? – Sam Okudzeto quizzes

    Why should Cecilia Dapaah account for her finances when no one has reported of missing funds? – Sam Okudzeto quizzes

    A Council of State Member, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, has asserted that Former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, isn’t obligated to explain the source of money discovered in her home.

    He criticized some Ghanaians for unfairly targeting her and questioned why others with significant wealth aren’t similarly scrutinized.

    In an interview with TV3’s Beatrice Adu, Okudzeto, also a private legal practitioner, argues against convicting based solely on circumstantial evidence, emphasizing the need to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases.

    He underscored the boundaries of state institutions involved in Dapaah’s case, cautioning against overstepping their mandates.

    His remarks follow the Attorney General’s advice to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) not to pursue money laundering investigations against Dapaah, citing insufficient evidence of criminality.

    The Attorney General also highlights the Police Service’s ongoing investigation into the source of the funds found in Dapaah’s residence.

    Responding to criticism of the Attorney General’s decision, Mr Okudzeto stressed the importance of respecting institutional roles and avoiding premature judgments.

    He criticized lawyers who make uninformed comments on the case and urges a more nuanced understanding of legal complexities.

    Regarding a lawyer’s threat to sue over Madam Dapaah’s case, Mr Okudzeto cautioned against rash actions and emphasizes the need for thorough legal analysis and collaboration among legal professionals.

    He emphasized that law is intricate and requires careful deliberation and collaboration within legal chambers to arrive at sound conclusions.

    “If you come and you find money with me, do I owe you any duty to explain to you to whose money when nobody has complained that I have stolen his money?

    “You Ghanaians are not honest people, the number of people, all these huge buildings that they are building, who has asked them where they got the money from, nobody does. So you just pick on one individual and you want to make it as if she was just an extraordinary rogue who has stolen money when you don’t even have any evidence that she has stolen money,” he added.

  • Those criticizing Cecilia Dapaah are hypocrites – Sam Okudzeto

    Those criticizing Cecilia Dapaah are hypocrites – Sam Okudzeto

    Member of the Council of State, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, has criticized some Ghanaians for being dishonest in their criticisms of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who faced investigation for large sums of money found in her home.

    Mr. Sam Okudzeto questioned why other individuals with extravagant properties in the country were not being scrutinized for the sources of their wealth, unlike Cecilia Dapaah.

    In an interview with TV3’s Beatrice Adu, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, also a private legal practitioner, stated that Ghanaians were being dishonest in singling out Cecilia Dapaah for criticism without evidence of wrongdoing.

    He emphasized that Ghanaian laws do not convict people based on circumstantial evidence and require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

    Mr. Okudzeto further highlighted the limitations of state institutions involved in Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s case, including the Attorney-General’s Department, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

    He criticized some lawyers for making commentaries on the case without proper understanding, emphasizing the complexity of legal matters and the need for thorough research and discussion within the legal profession.

    “If you come and you find money with me, do I owe you any duty to explain to you to whose money when nobody has complained that I have stolen his money?

    “You Ghanaians are not honest people, the number of people, all these huge buildings that they are building, who has asked them where they got the money from, nobody does. So you just pick on one individual and you want to make it as if she was just an extraordinary rogue who has stolen money when you don’t even have any evidence that she has stolen money.”

    “Do the laws convict people on circumstantial evidence? when you go to the criminal court you must establish the issues beyond all reasonable doubt, that is what the criminal law says . The criminal law is not based upon suspicion or mere allegation.”

  • EOCO received all needed information to investigate Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering allegations from us – OSP

    EOCO received all needed information to investigate Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering allegations from us – OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has confirmed that it provided the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) with all essential information required to initiate an investigation into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    This statement is in response to EOCO’s claim that effective collaboration with the OSP was lacking, impeding the investigation process.

    However, the Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, Samuel Appiah Darko, rebutted EOCO’s claim, asserting that they cannot shift blame onto the OSP for their failure to investigate Cecilia Dapaah.

    During an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda on Citi FM, Mr. Darko clarified that every piece of pertinent information was provided to EOCO by the OSP.

    “We had a standing committee. Every information that we had and we needed to give to EOCO, the OSP gave to EOCO. And the standing committee that has been working between OSP and EOCO, there are unofficial communications between OSP and EOCO.

    “What I am trying to tell you is that EOCO said they want the findings of our work on corruption but you don’t need that because everything has already been kept in the file.”

  • We handed over all we had on Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO – OSP

    We handed over all we had on Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO – OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) maintains that it provided the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) with all the necessary information to initiate an investigation into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    This statement comes in response to EOCO‘s claim that the OSP did not collaborate effectively, which hindered a smooth investigation process.

    However, the Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, Samuel Appiah Darko, has refuted EOCO’s assertion, stating that EOCO cannot blame the OSP for their failure to investigate Cecilia Dapaah.

    During an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda on Citi FM, Mr. Darko clarified that every piece of information required by EOCO was provided by the OSP.

    “We had a standing committee. Every information that we had and we needed to give to EOCO, the OSP gave to EOCO. And the standing committee that has been working between OSP and EOCO, there are unofficial communications between OSP and EOCO.

    “What I am trying to tell you is that EOCO said they want the findings of our work on corruption but you don’t need that because everything has already been kept in the file.”

  • Be bold and tell Ghanaians there is no appetite to investigate, prosecute Cecilia Dapaah – OSP tells EOCO

    Be bold and tell Ghanaians there is no appetite to investigate, prosecute Cecilia Dapaah – OSP tells EOCO

    Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Samuel Appiah Darko, has called out the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for what he believes is a deliberate attempt not to investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah, accused of corruption-related activities.

    During her address to the media at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa on Monday, Executive Director of EOCO, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, revealed that her organization plans to return the docket against Mrs Cecilia Dapaah to the OSP as there is nothing further they can do with it.

    “If you read the A-G’s advice, whatever that we would have done had already been directed at the police CID. And like he said this morning, when you investigate a case and you do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the day, that wasn’t what came out; we should be bold to tell Ghanaians.”

    Samuel Appiah Darko revealed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has already returned the docket concerning former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Samuel Appiah Darko

    In an interview on Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Mr. Darko refuted allegations that the docket forwarded to EOCO was without merit, asserting that EOCO’s actions demonstrate a lack of interest in investigating the matter and an attempt to shift blame onto the OSP.

    “Let me start with what EOCO said yesterday [Monday, May 6] that they were going to return the docket to the OSP, that is not accurate. They have long returned the docket to us with an explanation that they have been advised by the AG [Attorney General] not to investigate but remember, we did not say to prosecute, [to] investigate and so I don’t understand why EOCO will say they are now going to return the docket to OSP.”

    He noted that should EOCO be unwilling to investigate the matter, it should make that known to the public instead of pointing fingers at the OSP.

    “The second point I want to make is this whole idea that the docket that the OSP sent to EOCO was baseless and if you will indulge me, I am going to be a bit detailed, although we are not supposed to do this but our point is that if there is no appetite to want to investigate and prosecute, tell the people of Ghana that there is no appetite but don’t try to put the blame on the OSP.”

    During her address to the media at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa on Monday, Executive Director of EOCO, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, revealed that her organization plans to return the docket as there is nothing further they can do with it.

    “If you read the A-G’s advice, whatever that we would have done had already been directed at the police CID. And like he said this morning, when you investigate a case and you do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the day, that wasn’t what came out; we should be bold to tell Ghanaians.”

  • EOCO is not planning to return Cecilia Dapaah’s docket, they already have – OSP

    EOCO is not planning to return Cecilia Dapaah’s docket, they already have – OSP

    Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Samuel Appiah Darko, has revealed that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has already returned the docket concerning former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    In an interview on Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM, Mr. Darko clarified that EOCO’s statements suggesting that they intend to return the docket are false, as the return has already taken place.

    “Let me start with what EOCO said yesterday [Monday, May 6] that they were going to return the docket to the OSP, that is not accurate. They have long returned the docket to us with an explanation that they have been advised by the AG [Attorney General] not to investigate but remember, we did not say to prosecute, [to] investigate and so I don’t understand why EOCO will say they are now going to return the docket to OSP.”

    Mr. Darko also refuted allegations that the docket forwarded to EOCO was without merit, asserting that EOCO’s actions demonstrate a lack of interest in investigating the matter and an attempt to shift blame onto the OSP.

    “The second point I want to make is this whole idea that the docket that the OSP sent to EOCO was baseless and if you will indulge me, I am going to be a bit detailed, although we are not supposed to do this but our point is that if there is no appetite to want to investigate and prosecute, tell the people of Ghana that there is no appetite but don’t try to put the blame on the OSP.”

    During her address to the media at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa on Monday, Executive Director of EOCO, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, revealed that her organization plans to return the docket as there is nothing further they can do with it.

    “If you read the A-G’s advice, whatever that we would have done had already been directed at the police CID. And like he said this morning, when you investigate a case and you do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the day, that wasn’t what came out; we should be bold to tell Ghanaians.”

  • EOCO to return docket ‘wrongly’ accusing Cecilia Dapaah of money laundering back to OSP

    EOCO to return docket ‘wrongly’ accusing Cecilia Dapaah of money laundering back to OSP

    Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, has announced that her office will be returning the dossier it received from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) concerning the investigation into former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, for money laundering.

    Addressing the media at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa, Tiwa Addo-Danquah explained that EOCO could not proceed with the investigation as there was insufficient evidence to pursue.

    She expressed concerns that continuing the investigation would amount to a futile effort, suggesting that her office would be engaging in a fruitless pursuit.

    Furthermore, Tiwa Addo-Danquah emphasized the importance of state institutions being transparent and forthright with the public, particularly when their investigations yield no substantial findings.

    “If you read the Attorney-General’s advice, whatever we would have done has already been directed at the Police CID. And as he (the Attorney General) said this morning, when you investigate a case and do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the outset, that wasn’t what came out; we should be bold with the Ghanaian.

    “So, we cannot continue to fish when you don’t even know what you are looking for. You just go about looking for something that you know you are not even sure of,” she is quoted to have said.

    The EOCO boss added, “So, what I am going to do is that, with the Attorney-General’s advice, I will send the docket that we received from the OSP back to him, confirming that there is nothing in it.”

    The OSP closed its case against the former minister and her husband, who were accused of corruption and corruption-related offences after two of their housekeepers allegedly stole $1 million and €300,000 in cash, along with other valuable items from their residence in Abelemkpe.

    The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, concluded that his office lacked the authority to prosecute or take further action against the former minister and referred the case to EOCO. The referral was based on the suspicion that the large sums of money found at Cecilia Dapaah’s residence and bank accounts could be the proceeds of a money laundering and structuring scheme.

    The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, in advice to the EOCO boss on how to proceed with Cecilia Dapaah’s case, said, “The OSP’s referral to EOCO for investigations to be conducted into money laundering is without basis.”

    He also said that there was no evidence of corruption or procurement breaches against the former minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor.

    “A study of the docket from the OSP and the report by your office indicates that: a. investigations by the OSP did not establish any evidence of corruption, corruption-related offences, or procurement breaches against the suspects; b.

    the OSP has returned money and other properties retrieved from the suspects in the course of their investigations to them, and the suspects have been accordingly discharged by the OSP,” parts of a letter Dame wrote to Tiwa Addo-Danquah, which was sighted reads.

  • Docket on Cecilia Dapaah to be returned to OSP over lack of evidence – EOCO

    Docket on Cecilia Dapaah to be returned to OSP over lack of evidence – EOCO

    The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has announced its intention to return the docket concerning former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    This decision comes after the Office of the Attorney General advised against initiating money laundering investigations into Cecilia Dapaah. The Attorney General’s office cited the OSP’s failure to establish evidence of corruption or corruption-related offences as the reason for its advice.

    Speaking at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Africa, Executive Director of EOCO, Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah, reiterated that there was nothing her office could do in the absence of evidence supporting such investigations.

    “If you read the A-G’s advice, whatever that we would have done had already been directed at the police CID. And like he said this morning, when you investigate a case and you do not find anything, we should be bold enough to come and tell the public that for this case, even though I suspected this at the day, that wasn’t what came out; we should be bold the Ghanaian.

    “So, we cannot continue to be fishing like you don’t even know what you are looking for. You just go about looking for something that you know that you are not even sure. 

    “So, what I am going to do is that with the A-G’s advice, I will send the docket that we received from the OSP to him that there is nothing in it,” she stated. 

    On May 1, the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice advised against conducting money laundering investigations into the activities of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

    The Attorney General’s office determined that the request made by the Special Prosecutor’s office to EOCO to initiate money laundering investigations into Cecilia Dapaah’s affairs lacked a valid basis.

  • You collaborated with the FBI, what were the findings? – Sammy Gyamfi asks OSP over Cecilia Dapaah case

    You collaborated with the FBI, what were the findings? – Sammy Gyamfi asks OSP over Cecilia Dapaah case

    The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has expressed disappointment with Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng over the handling of the case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    Mr. Gyamfi criticized the decision to refer the case to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for investigation, stating that the OSP should have conducted its probe into the money laundering allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.

    In an interview with TV3, Mr. Gyamfi questioned the OSP’s decision not to include their report findings with the FBI in the docket presented to EOCO, calling it a “missing link” in the investigation.

    “Kissi Agyebeng announced that a search was being conducted but he couldn’t make the findings public. In referring Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO he should have at least added the findings that he made through that search. He even told us he collaborated with the FBI, what were his findings? That is a missing link,” he stated.

    Sammy Gyamfi accused the government of attempting to cover up the truth and avoid a thorough investigation into the allegations against Cecilia Dapaah.

    “There is a grand conspiracy by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia NPP government to cover up the truths and real facts of this Cecilia Dapaah case. This should be obvious to any objective bystander,”

    “This government led by the President himself has acted in ways that show they are not interested in an investigation at all and you see if they think that they are helping Madam Cecilia Dapaah in doing so, then they’re mistaken,” the communication officer stated.

    The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, stated in a letter addressed to EOCO dated Thursday, April 25, that there is no basis for EOCO to investigate Cecilia Dapaah.

    According to the AG, the OSP failed to attach their report findings with the FBI to the docket presented to EOCO after probing into the financial transactions of the former minister.

  • We didn’t clear Cecilia Dapaah of corruption-related offences – OSP

    We didn’t clear Cecilia Dapaah of corruption-related offences – OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has refuted claims that it cleared former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, before transferring her case to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO).

    The OSP investigated Mrs Dapaah for alleged corruption and corruption-related offences after reports emerged that their domestic staff stole millions of local and foreign currencies, along with other personal effects belonging to the former minister and her husband.

    After months of investigation, the OSP closed its case and handed it over to EOCO, citing that the offence largely fell within the realm of money laundering.

    The OSP stated that it may reopen the case if further evidence supporting corruption investigations is uncovered.

    However, EOCO sent the OSP’s transferred docket to the Attorney General’s office for advice on whether to conduct investigations. The AG’s Office advised EOCO to halt investigations, stating that the file lacked an investigative report and additional documentation to support a money laundering prosecution.

    The AG also mentioned that the police are investigating the source of funding by Cecilia Dapaah, suggesting that there was no need for EOCO to continue with the case.

    In a separate statement, the Attorney General’s office accused the OSP of failing to provide EOCO with sufficient information regarding its collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for further investigations.

    In an interview with Joy News, the Director for Strategy, Research, and Communications at the OSP, Mr. Samuel Appiah Darko, clarified that his office did not clear Cecilia Dapaah of corruption-related offences.

    He explained that the OSP closed its investigation after determining that the offence was largely related to money laundering.

    Mr. Darko also noted that Dapaah could not reasonably explain all the seized monies from her home, as her explanations were found to be untrue after investigations.

    He maintained that EOCO did not request the FBI investigation report, despite joint representatives from the two agencies working on the file transfer.

    “We want to make it very clear that EOCO did not request for the FBI report. Even if they did, the FBI report has a lot of confidentiality clauses that were directed particularly to the OSP and you can’t just give it to another agency because you have transferred the case. There ought to be a lot of inter-agency collaboration and clearance. So if it had happened, we may have triggered the clearance clauses so that either we are cleared by FBI or FBI sends the report directly to EOCO.”

    He stated that the OSP referred the case to EOCO, providing all relevant documentation, including caution statements from over 20 suspects in America, Accra, and Kumasi.

    Additionally, other information, such as relatives of Madam Dapaah claiming the seized monies and some jewelry in her house were family heirlooms, was also provided. These documents were intended to assist EOCO in conducting its own independent investigation into the financial transactions involved.

    “The OSP should be considered as a whistleblower to EOCO. So as a whistle-blower, we gave EOCO platinum information. Ordinarily, you will not even find other agencies giving such information to EOCO,” Mr. Darko noted in the interview.

    The OSP’s Director for Strategy, Research, and Communications gave further reasons on why his outfit referred the case to EOCO instead of proceeding with the alleged money laundering probe.

    “Our referral is not just in respect of a transaction in America. Also, we were not conducting money laundering investigation, we were conducting corruption investigation. We are of the opinion that, we had all it takes to send that referral to EOCO because there was no way we could have proceeded and then investigated and write a report on money laundering and send it to EOCO for onward transfer to the Attorney General. We only referred a matter to EOCO as whistle-blowers for EOCO to investigate…We cannot instruct EOCO on what they should do,” he added.

  • CDD slams govt over Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    CDD slams govt over Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has condemned the government’s handling of the money laundering case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    CDD-Ghana voiced apprehension regarding the government’s response to scandals implicating its associates.

    In a letter addressed to the Economic and Organised Crime (EOCO), the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General advised against further pursuing money laundering investigations into Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s activities.

    In a statement released on Friday, May 3, 2024, CDD-Ghana noted, “The abrupt and inconclusive manner in which this matter has been ended fits a pattern in terms of the Nana Akufo Addo Administration’s general attitude and response to scandals, allegations or reported incidents of criminal conduct, corruption or other financial malfeasance involving persons closely associated with the Government or ruling party.”

    CDD-Ghana believes that the advice signals the end of the case. The AG has assured that the case will continue.

    “The upshot of the A-G’s advice is that the Cecilia Dapaah matter is over. Case closed. Once again, a high-profile case of suspected or alleged criminal conduct implicating a politically influential person has been terminated abruptly without proper credible resolution or closure. It is not clear in what way the forced termination of further investigation into this matter by the A-G serves either the public interest or helps the reputation of the target of the investigation.”

    CDD-Ghana also questioned EOCO’s failure to conduct its investigations.

    “The action of EOCO in requesting directions from the A-G without first acting on the referral from the OSP to initiate its own investigation of the matter seems oddly contrived. Having been provided with a docket containing various exhibits, statements by twenty or so individuals, as well as the bare fact of the quantum of the monies found in the properties associated with Mrs. Dapaah and her spouse, one would have expected EOCO to proceed with its own investigations, instead of seeking the A-G’s legal advice on prosecution at that early pre-investigative stage.”

    This suggestion followed the Special Prosecutor’s office’s determination that the discovery of over 1 million dollars in Dapaah’s residence exceeded its jurisdiction, prompting the recommendation for money laundering investigations.

  • Cecilia Dapaah: Martin Kpebu flaws AG’s advice to EOCO as illegal

    Cecilia Dapaah: Martin Kpebu flaws AG’s advice to EOCO as illegal

    Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has rebuffed the Attorney General’s (AG) advice to cease the money laundering investigation into former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    Kpebu argues that the AG’s guidance lacks legal foundation, describing it as “misleading and not legally supported.”

    He disputes the AG’s assertion that a predicate offence is necessary for prosecuting Dapaah, deeming it incorrect. The Attorney General’s office advised the Economic and Organised Crime Office to refrain from pursuing money laundering inquiries against Dapaah.

    This recommendation followed the Special Prosecutor’s Office’s determination that the discovery of over 1 million dollars at Dapaah’s residence fell outside its jurisdiction, suggesting instead that money laundering investigations be conducted.

    Speaking on Citi TV’s The Big Issue, Kpebu emphasised that Dapaah’s failure to account for her wealth justified the AG’s intervention. He urged the AG to retract its directive to EOCO.

    “The letter is a huge mistake, a faux pas. That was a wrong step because the letter is not grounded in law. The AG is insisting that you need a predicate offence before you can prosecute someone for money laundering; but that is not correct; it’s false. We have changed the law. There’s a new law for us in Ghana that says there’s no need for a predicate offence.

    “Cecilia Dapaah cannot explain her source of money; if you take her to court, she’s guilty. The Attorney General’s letter is so bad that it has to be withdrawn. The AG has to be humble, we all don’t know it all. If the AG has gotten it wrong, he should just accept his mistake. He cannot win every case,” he told host Selorm Adonoo.

    The Attorney General’s review also indicated no findings of corruption against Dapaah by the OSP.

    However, the Attorney General’s stance is that money laundering charges hinge on profits from illegal activities.

  • AG’s office claims probe into Cecilia Dapaah’s case hasn’t closed

    AG’s office claims probe into Cecilia Dapaah’s case hasn’t closed

    Spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, Isaac Wilberforce Mensah, has denied allegations suggesting that the office has terminated investigations into the scandal involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    This comes in response to the office advising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) against initiating money laundering probes into the ex-minister’s activities.

    The Attorney General concluded that the request made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to EOCO for money laundering investigations lacked sufficient grounds regarding Cecilia Dapaah’s affairs.

    Consequently, John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has pledged to resume investigations into the aforementioned scandal if elected president.


    In a post on X on Wednesday, Mr. Mahama announced, “My government will reopen investigations into alleged acts of corruption and graft in the Cecelia Dapaah case.”


    However, during an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, May 2, Mr. Mensah clarified that the advice from the office did not indicate a cessation of investigations into the matter. He clarified that neither the Office of the Special Prosecutor nor the FBI had uncovered any wrongdoing.

    Mr. Mensah added that the Attorney General’s Office was actively pursuing the case and had not concluded its inquiry.

    The guidance provided by the Attorney General’s Office was rooted in the lack of evidence to substantiate the accusations of money laundering against Cecilia Dapaah.

    He underscored that the decisions made by the office were based on legal considerations and were not swayed by external influences.

    “Even most of the materials that the OSP relied on for its investigations were procured from the police or obtained from the Ghana Police Service. So how has the AG or the Office of the AG, by this letter, closed investigations? It is thus certainly not what the materials letter sought to suggest,” he said.

  • AG’s advice on Cecilia Dapaah case wrong , hogwash – Martin Kpebu fires

    AG’s advice on Cecilia Dapaah case wrong , hogwash – Martin Kpebu fires

    Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu has challenged the traditional notion that a predicate offense must be established in money laundering cases before pressing charges.

    Kpebu argues that failure to disclose the source of income alone is sufficient grounds for a money laundering charge.

    A predicate offense, typically the initial illegal activity in a chain of criminal actions, is considered fundamental in establishing money laundering.

    For instance, tax evasion can serve as a predicate offense, leading to the laundering of illicit proceeds generated from such activities.

    Kpebu’s comments come in response to the Office of the Attorney-General advising the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) against pursuing money laundering investigations regarding former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah‘s transactions.

    The Attorney-General’s office, in a letter dated April 25, 2024, highlighted that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had not submitted a collaborative investigation report to EOCO.

    Moreover, the OSP had not responded to requests for findings, presenting only limited documentation to EOCO.

    Disputing the Attorney General’s advisory, Kpebu stated on TV3’s Key Points show, “The advisory is totally wrong … hogwash. It is clearly a mistake and must be withdrawn. Failure to disclose the money itself can be used as money laundering; they can use it as a basis to charge for money laundering.”

    Kpebu emphasized Ghana’s departure from the notion of requiring a predicate offense for money laundering charges, marking a shift in legal perspective on such matters.

  • Investigative agencies working to rubbish Cecilia Dapaah’s scandal – NDC

    Investigative agencies working to rubbish Cecilia Dapaah’s scandal – NDC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is alleging collusion among investigating institutions in prematurely concluding the money laundering allegations against former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    The NDC’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has announced intentions to reopen the investigation in light of the Attorney General’s advice against the Economic and Organized Crime Office conducting money laundering inquiries into Dapaah.

    The head of Legal Affairs for the NDC, Edudzie Tamakloe, expressed skepticism about the AG’s recommendation, suggesting coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies.

    “Whatever it is that the president has said, it appears the various law enforcement agencies have all worked together to reach this particular conclusion. And that is what it is. And so it is not surprising to many of us that the Attorney General’s office will come out with this, knowing EOCO has not provided the good people of this country any form of whatever the response the FBI has given, relative to the huge findings identified in the course of the investigation.”

    However, Wilberforce Isaac Mensah, spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, clarified that the case remains open to interested parties.

    “What the Office of the Attorney General has done is not to close any door for investigation. We have not closed any doors for investigation. The Attorney General has indicated already that the police are investigating the matter. And most of the documents that the OSP relied on for its investigation were obtained from the Ghana Police Service.”

    “So how has the Attorney General, by this letter or the Office of the Attorney General, closed investigations? That certainly cannot be what the letter wants to suggest. If investigations are opened and there is a need to prosecute, we will do that, but as it stands now, no crime has been established.”

  • Find out from Kissi Agyebeng if he has closed Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Find out from Kissi Agyebeng if he has closed Cecilia Dapaah’s case


    Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has delegated authority to Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng concerning the resolution of the purported money laundering case involving former sanitation minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    Dame maintains that since the Special Prosecutor has returned the confiscated funds to Dapaah and discovered no evidence of money laundering, there is essentially no case against her.

    In a Joy FM interview on Thursday, May 2, Dame stated, “There was a clear report on the investigations by the Special Prosecutor. No direct and immediate evidence of corruption was found in the seized funds and a frozen bank account linked to Madam Cecilia Dapaah.”

    He recommended that queries regarding the investigation’s closure be directed to the Special Prosecutor, who seems to have conclusively ended the case due to insufficient evidence.

    Additionally, the Attorney-General noted that the funds would not have been released to the former minister if they were still under investigation.

    He recommended that queries regarding the investigation’s closure be directed to the Special Prosecutor, who seems to have conclusively ended the case due to insufficient evidence.

    “So, indeed, the question that you’re asking me ought to be asked the Special Prosecutor…has he closed the investigations relating to Cecilia Dapaah? And my understanding from this is indeed he has come to a definite conclusion that there was no evidence and for that matter, the matter was closed,” he stated.

    Meanwhile, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has declared his intention to reopen the purported money laundering case against Cecilia Dapaah if his government assumes power.

    After the Attorney-General advised the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to cease its investigation, Mahama condemned the decision, pledging to tackle the alleged corruption and misconduct in Dapaah’s case.

    However, Dame criticized Mahama’s remarks, accusing him of engaging in “cheap politics” and lacking a comprehensive understanding of the case particulars.

  • You must resign for failing to probe Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case – Martin Kpebu tells EOCO boss

    You must resign for failing to probe Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case – Martin Kpebu tells EOCO boss

    Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has strongly urged the resignation of the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, citing mishandling in the investigation of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    Mr Kpebu criticized EOCO’s absence during the return of funds to Dapaah by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), suggesting negligence or mismanagement on EOCO’s part.

    He pointed out the conspicuousness of EOCO’s absence considering the OSP’s public announcement of returning the money and transferring the case file to EOCO.

    The call for resignation stems from advice received from the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, advising against EOCO initiating a money laundering probe into Dapaah’s case.

    The Attorney General’s office highlighted shortcomings in the collaborative investigation report between the OSP and the FBI not being submitted to EOCO, and EOCO’s unanswered request for findings from its investigation.

    The Attorney General’s office noted that the docket provided to EOCO lacked comprehensive details, containing only the OSP’s transmittal letter, the diary of action, statements from the investigation, and correspondence with other institutions.

    Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Kpebu argued that such oversights undermine the investigation’s credibility and raise doubts about EOCO’s ability and commitment to pursuing the case. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, insisting that Maame Tiwaa should resign without excuses.

    Echoing Kpebu’s sentiments, anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem expressed disappointment with the Attorney General’s advice to EOCO. He argued that the case should not have necessitated the Attorney General’s intervention and criticized the Special Prosecutor for not providing EOCO with all the necessary information, which was used as a basis to deem further investigation unwarranted. Azeem suggested that withholding information could imply either a subpar investigation or an unwillingness to allow EOCO to continue the case with the available evidence, a common issue in high-profile investigations involving multiple agencies.

    “EOCO’s Maame Tiwaa Addo Danquah should be on her way out of that office…she should be out and let us not play with it. This thing is too elementary for us to tolerate this. Kissi Agyebeng came out publicly to say ‘I am handing over this file, I am handing over the cash.’

    “So EOCO should have been present to collect that money. There can be no excuses…there can be no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ about it, that is why we are calling on Maame Tiwaa to resign,” he stated.

  • Mahama vows to reopen probe into Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Mahama vows to reopen probe into Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Former President John Mahama has voiced his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the probe into alleged corruption involving ex-Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    The investigation centered on accusations against two house helps employed by Mrs. Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour.

    The employees, Patience Botwe (18) and Sarah Agyei (30), faced charges in the Accra Circuit Court for reportedly stealing valuables worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.

    The stolen items included US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.

    Upon referral of the case to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for a money laundering investigation by the Special Prosecutor, the Attorney General’s Office advised against initiating such proceedings.

    They stressed the necessity of proving that financial gains stemmed from criminal activities to pursue money laundering charges effectively.

    Additionally, the Attorney General’s Office suggested that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) handle inquiries into the source of Cecilia Dapaah’s funds.

    Expressing his disappointment with these developments, former President Mahama indicated his intention to reopen investigations into the alleged corruption involving the former Sanitation Minister if elected in the 2024 general elections.

    Meanwhile, Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiatives (GII), criticized EOCO’s handling of the case. She suggested that while EOCO may seek legal advice from the AG’s Office, it should have continued its independent investigation until it reached a point requiring prosecutorial guidance.

    Addah emphasized the importance of EOCO pursuing investigations diligently to their conclusion before consulting external entities for prosecution advice.

    “But then it is what it is; it is very unfortunate; let me not mince words at all. The impression this is creating is that we can always get away with anything, particularly when it comes to issues around allegations of corruption because we would use the weakness in the regime or legal regime to get away with them,” she said.

  • Investigation into alleged acts of corruption against Cecilia Dapaah will be reopened under my tenure – Mahama

    Investigation into alleged acts of corruption against Cecilia Dapaah will be reopened under my tenure – Mahama

    Former President John Mahama has expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the alleged corruption case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    Two house helps employed by Mrs. Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, faced charges in the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing money and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, Accra.

    The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, including US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.

    In response to the matter and the Special Prosecutor’s referral to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for a money laundering investigation, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice advised against initiating money laundering investigations into the former Sanitation Minister’s dealings.

    The Attorney General’s office stressed the need to prove that financial gains were obtained from criminal proceeds arising from unlawful activity to pursue money laundering investigations.

    Regarding these developments, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress for the 2024 election, expressed his disapproval. In a post on X on Thursday, May 2, he stated that his government would reopen investigations into the “alleged acts of corruption and graft” in the former Sanitation Minister’s case.

    Additionally, the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiatives (GII), Mary Awelana Addah, criticized EOCO for not conducting a more thorough investigation into the case. She suggested that EOCO could have continued its investigation independently before seeking advice from the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

    Former President John Mahama has expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the alleged corruption case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    Two house helps employed by Mrs. Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, faced charges in the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing money and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, Accra.

    The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, including US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.

    In response to the matter and the Special Prosecutor’s referral to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for a money laundering investigation, the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice advised against initiating money laundering investigations into the former Sanitation Minister’s dealings.

    The Attorney General’s office stressed the need to prove that financial gains were obtained from criminal proceeds arising from unlawful activity to pursue money laundering investigations.

    Regarding these developments, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress for the 2024 election, expressed his disapproval. In a post on X on Thursday, May 2, he stated that his government would reopen investigations into the “alleged acts of corruption and graft” in the former Sanitation Minister’s case.

    Additionally, the Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiatives (GII), Mary Awelana Addah, criticized EOCO for not conducting a more thorough investigation into the case. She suggested that EOCO could have continued its investigation independently before seeking advice from the Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

    “But then it is what it is; it is very unfortunate; let me not mince words at all. The impression this is creating is that we can always get away with anything, particularly when it comes to issues around allegations of corruption because we would use the weakness in the regime or legal regime to get away with them,” she said.

  • OSP hasn’t been able to prove corruption allegations against Cecilia Dapaah – AG

    OSP hasn’t been able to prove corruption allegations against Cecilia Dapaah – AG

    The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has stated that there is no evidence of corruption or procurement breaches concerning former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor.

    This information comes from correspondence between the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, and the Attorney General (AG), Godfred Dame.

    EOCO sought direction from the AG regarding Cecilia Dapaah’s case, which was referred to it by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    According to the correspondence, the AG’s office reviewed the OSP case against the former minister and a report by EOCO, finding no evidence of corruption-related offenses or procurement violations by the former minister and her husband.

    The AG’s letter stated: “A study of the docket from the OSP and the report by your office indicates that: a. investigations by the OSP did not establish any evidence of corruption, corruption-related offences, or procurement breaches against the suspects; b. the OSP has returned money and other properties retrieved from the suspects in the course of their investigations to them, and the suspects have been accordingly discharged by the OSP.”

    EOCO sought guidance from the AG’s office on how to proceed with the investigation into money laundering allegations made against the former minister and her husband by the OSP.

    The AG responded to EOCO stating that “the OSP’s referral to EOCO for investigations to be conducted into money laundering is without basis.”

    The OSP concluded its case against the former minister and her husband, accused of corruption and corruption-related offenses after two of their house helps allegedly stole $1 million and €300,000 in cash, along with other valuable items from their residence in Abelemkpe.

    Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng determined that his office lacked the authority to prosecute or take further action against the former minister and referred the case to EOCO, suspecting that the large sums of money found at Cecilia Dapaah’s properties and bank accounts could be the proceeds of a money laundering and structuring scheme.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case should be probed by CHRAJ, GRA – Vitus Azeem

    Cecilia Dapaah’s money laundering case should be probed by CHRAJ, GRA – Vitus Azeem

    Anti-corruption Activist Vitus Azeem has urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to probe accusations of money laundering against Cecilia Dapaah.

    Following the Office of the Attorney General (AG) and Ministry of Justice’s statement asserting no grounds for the Economic and Organized Crimes Office (EOCO) to investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah for money laundering, questions linger.

    Initially, the Special Prosecutor (OSP) dropped charges against Dapaah, transferring the case to EOCO for money laundering inquiries. However, upon reviewing documents provided by EOCO, the AG’s office advised against EOCO pursuing money laundering investigations.

    Addressing this development on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, Vitus Azeem emphasized that the matter should not be closed hastily.

    Azeem suggested that CHRAJ could investigate Dapaah’s asset declaration to determine the legality of her income sources. Additionally, he proposed GRA’s involvement to scrutinize Dapaah’s business activities, ensuring tax compliance.

    In Azeem’s view, both CHRAJ and GRA have roles to play in ensuring transparency and accountability, preventing the case from being prematurely concluded.

    “In the very beginning, I even said that CHRAJ was also the appropriate body to do the investigation in terms of looking at her asset declaration to establish if these monies were acquired legally and from genuine employment or not. They have to establish how the money was acquired.

    “So the matter shouldn’t end there if EOCO thinks that it cannot proceed; even if the Attorney General thinks that EOCO cannot proceed, I think that the matter should go to CHRAJ, and the matter should also go to GRA to establish if the lady was doing a genuine business and earned the money, and whether tax was paid. So there are still two institutions that can take up this matter and not allow it to just end,” Mr. Azeem said.

  • AG dismisses OSP’s request for EOCO to investigate Cecilia Dapaah over money laundering

    AG dismisses OSP’s request for EOCO to investigate Cecilia Dapaah over money laundering

    The Office of the Attorney General (AG) has officially declared that there are insufficient grounds to pursue a money laundering investigation against Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, and her spouse.

    This decision follows a thorough review of the case initiated by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) based on a referral from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    The OSP initially raised concerns about corruption allegations against Cecilia Dapaah and her husband after their domestic staff reportedly stole significant sums of money and valuables from their residence.

    However, after examining the evidence, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng determined that there was not enough legal basis for prosecution and redirected the case to EOCO.

    In response to EOCO’s request for direction, the AG’s office highlighted the lack of conclusive evidence of money laundering in the OSP’s referral documents.

    The Attorney General, Godfred Dame, emphasised that crucial details, such as collaborative investigations with international security agencies like the FBI, were missing from the OSP’s submission.

    The AG’s letter to EOCO, obtained by GhanaWeb, stated, “The OSP’s referral to EOCO for investigations into money laundering is without basis, as there is no identification of criminality associated with the retrieved properties from the suspects.”

    This development marks the conclusion of the investigation into the allegations against Cecilia Dapaah and her husband regarding money laundering.

  • Kwesi Nyantakyi, Cecilia Dapaah, 2 others should be incarcerated for corruption – Scott Bolshevik

    Kwesi Nyantakyi, Cecilia Dapaah, 2 others should be incarcerated for corruption – Scott Bolshevik

    Renowned financial analyst and historian Scott Bolshevik has accused several government appointees of corruption and called for their incarceration.


    Among those named are a former president of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi, former sanitation minister, Cecilia Dapaah, Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, and the Governor of Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ernest Addison.


    Scottbolshevik alleges that these individuals possess incriminating evidence that could lead to severe legal repercussions, including potential death sentences in China.


    Scottbolshevik’s assertions come amidst ongoing efforts by the government of Ghana, led by President Akufo Addo, to combat corruption.


    “Taking to the X platform, he argued that if President Akufo Addo is genuinely committed to fighting corruption, these government appointees should face legal consequences for their alleged misdeeds.

    These are some few government appointees who should have been incarcerated if his excellency Akufo Addo of Ghana is really genuinely interested in fighting corruption. They all have incriminating evidence that could send them to jail or even death sentence in China,” he wrote.

    Scottbolshevik contends that the evidence against these individuals is damning and warrants immediate action from law enforcement authorities.


    He asserted that failure to hold them accountable would undermine the government’s anti-corruption efforts and erode public trust in the justice system.

  • No external force can influence our judgement when dealing with cases – EOCO

    No external force can influence our judgement when dealing with cases – EOCO


    The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has asserted that she faces no political pressure in conducting investigations and prosecutions.

    Her statement follows the referral of a suspected money laundering case involving former Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah to EOCO by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Despite the OSP’s decision to drop charges against Dapaah due to a lack of credible evidence, COP Addo-Danquah emphasized that her office would only act when there is concrete evidence of wrongdoing.

    Speaking at an anti-corruption forum, she highlighted the importance of adhering to the law and explained that her actions are guided by evidence rather than external influences.

    “Sometimes when I hear people say I am handling a case and I have powers from above directing me, fortunately for me I have not had that because you are guided by the law.

    “Nobody will direct you when you have evidence. It is when you don’t have evidence, when you haven’t been able to put evidence together then someone can tell you not to do this.

    “But if you have done your work in such a way that you have evidence, very solid evidence, you just have to explain to the person that these are my evidence, these are A, B and C and they are solid and I am presenting it to the court.

    “Nobody can stop you but we hide behind powers from above and we are put back and we disappoint the citizens but they have given you the mandate to do the job,” she explained.

    The case involved the seizure of significant sums of money from Dapaah’s home, leading to charges related to failing to declare assets.

    The OSP dropped these charges after a meeting with the judge and defense lawyers, with sources indicating a court deadline for unfreezing accounts and returning seized funds to Dapaah.

    The background of the case involved Dapaah’s arrest in 2023 on suspicion of corruption and the subsequent resignation from her ministerial position amid public pressure.

  • Money laundering: We will speak about OSP’s docket on Cecilia Dapaah at the appropriate time – EOCO Boss

    Money laundering: We will speak about OSP’s docket on Cecilia Dapaah at the appropriate time – EOCO Boss

    The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has confirmed receiving the docket related to Cecilia Dapaah, the former Sanitation Minister, concerning an alleged money laundering case.

    However, she noted that although the Office of the Special Prosecutor has officially submitted the docket to her office, she has not yet had the opportunity to review its contents.

    She therefore hesitated from making any further comments on the matter when engaged by the media at a Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) event in Accra on January 29.

    “I have that, and we are now reviewing, at the appropriate time, we will speak about it. I am not well briefed about the docket, so I don’t want to make any comment on it until we review it. The most important thing is that he has handed over, I don’t have any more thing to add,” she explained.

    The Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, has officially referred the case involving the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for further investigations into suspected money laundering.

    This decision was prompted by revelations that a substantial amount of cash found at Dapaah’s residence, along with funds in her bank accounts, may have been repatriated from abroad.

    The investigation took a cross-border turn when individuals of interest claimed that part of the seized cash was transported to the United States. As a result, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collaborated with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to delve into the matter.

  • We all have a role to play in fighting corruption – EOCO

    The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO), has emphasized the collective responsibility of individuals and institutions in the ongoing battle against corruption in Ghana.

    During an exclusive interview with 3News’ Beatrice Adu on Monday, January 29, 2024 she highlighted the prevalence of corruption in society, urging collective efforts in combating the issue.

    She also stressed the necessity of concrete evidence in prosecuting corruption, emphasizing that everyone, including individuals and institutions, has a role to play in the fight against corruption.

    Madam Addo-Danquah called for a collective change of attitude and mindset to effectively combat corruption.

    “One thing that we should always remember is that when you are prosecuting corruption, it is not about what you think, it is about the evidence that you have. If you don’t have evidence, you don’t have a case. That is what the public must understand. People make wild allegations but when it comes to evidence, they chicken out,“ she said in an exclusive interview with 3News’ Beatrice Adu on January 29 at a CDD event Accra.

    “I am concerned, everybody should be concerned. What do we have to do? We must all put our hands together and we must fight whatever is fighting us. That is what I can say. The point is that, like the OSP said, if we really need to fight it, then everybody must fight. I have somebody who asked me for support to pay school fees or something.

    Then the moment I said I could help, she called me back to say that I should not put it on her MoMo because she is owing MTN, can you imagine. And I did. So, these are small-small things that we think they don’t matter, but they do. It starts from small-small things and become big,” she stated.

    “So, everybody must have a change of attitude, mindset, that this is where we are and this is where we want to go. And we must all play a role in the fight against corruption. One person cannot do it. And it’s not about leadership. It’s about everybody playing a role. Whatever is expected you, you do it, whatever is expected of me, I do it. Whatever is expected of institutions, they do it,” Madam Tiwaa stressed.

    She further acknowledged the receipt of the docket on the alleged money laundering case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.

    “I have that, and we are now reviewing, at the appropriate time, we will speak about it. I am not well briefed about the docket, so I don’t want to make any comment on it until we review it. The most important thing is that he has handed over, I don’t have any more thing to add,” she explained.

  • We are yet to review Cecilia Dapaah’s docket – EOCO

    We are yet to review Cecilia Dapaah’s docket – EOCO

    The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, has confirmed the receipt of the docket pertaining to the alleged money laundering case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    During an interview with 3News, she conveyed that her office is presently reviewing the docket and emphasized that the matter will be fully addressed at the appropriate time.

    “I have that, and we are now reviewing. At the appropriate time, we will speak about it. I am not well-briefed about the docket, so I don’t want to make any comment on it until we review it. The most important thing is that he has handed over; I don’t have anything more to add,” she added.

    Touching on the contract awarded by the Ghana Revenue Authority to Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), Madam Addo-Danquah emphasized that she refrains from discussing matters she is not well-briefed on.

    Recalling events from January 25, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) transferred the Cecilia Dapaah case to EOCO, with Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng highlighting the focus on money laundering falling within EOCO’s mandate.

    Approximately 11 months ago, the OSP initiated an investigation into then Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah after reports of substantial sums being stolen from her residence by domestic staff.

    Cash sums ranging from $590,000 to 2.7 million cedis were discovered at various residences linked to Dapaah, leading to the freezing of her bank accounts.

    Despite an unsuccessful attempt to secure court approval, the OSP retained control of the funds and sought court confirmation. However, on January 25, the OSP announced the discontinuation of the case, citing extensive collaborative investigations within and outside Ghana.

    “The Office has determined that the crime borders largely on money laundering, which falls within the mandate of EOCO,” he said.

  • Joyce Bawah Mogtari writes on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Joyce Bawah Mogtari writes on Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    We have been stating for years that John Mahama has been a victim of extreme prejudice and political propaganda led sadly by a man whose sole aim was to become president at all costs.

    This he could only achieve by destroying his predecessor, a good man, a very patriotic Ghanaian, Nana Akufo-Addo, in the past touted as his friend and a good colleague on the other side of the political divide in parliament.

    Recall the Ford vehicle issue and the accusations of corruption against Mr Mahama by the NPP. Let me also mention the bus branding ‘scandal’, which again led to serious accusations, mass mobilisation and condemnation by the NPP and then-candidate Akufo-Addo.

    These are two significant examples of how corruption and graft were used as political leverage to justify the claim that the NDC and its leadership were incompetent and incapable of managing the country’s affairs.

    It is worth noting that today, Akufo Addo and Bawumia are in power, but they have yet to be able to prove any of these claims. From the actions and omissions of their government, it is obvious to Ghanaians that they are corrupt and comfortable associating with corruption.

    The level of dishonesty and disregard for the Ghanaian people by this NPP Government is unprecedented and gravely unimaginable.

    This president promised to put his presidency on the line to end galamsey at a time when it was axiomatic that they were and are heavily involved in it. This is manifestly evident in Frimpong Boateng’s report, bearing in mind that the president himself commissioned this work.

    How the former Minister has since been treated in the aftermath of the leaked report is now a matter of public record and needs no reiteration.

    That galamsey is perpetrated by members of the president’s team and government is confirmed, and it has been established that some NPP members have been using expensive mining equipment without authorisation, raping the state of its natural resources, and destroying our water bodies; whilst Akufo Addo looks on unconcerned.

    You may recall the regrettable will of the late Sir John, who left forest concessions, properties, and state lands to his family upon his passing. What is the current status of this matter? Why has the President yet to take action? We are eagerly waiting for the President’s response. Galamsey is still ongoing, causing damage to our water bodies.

    Let me also remind you of the recent scandal involving Cecelia Dapaah. This case has only reinforced the accusations of corruption against President Akufo-Addo.

    As every Ghanaian predicted, the case has ended. A court ruling has ordered that all the hard currency and amounts in the bank be returned to Cecilia Dapaah.

    This decision is a travesty that we are all struggling to understand. The amount of money involved pales in comparison to any alleged corruption claims or allegations under President Mahama.

    The OSP has ultimately truncated one of the biggest scandals of all time and an irrefutable opportunity for this Government to prove itself as one willing and able to deal with corruption.

    The inability or the desire to fight corruption vehemently has conferred on Akufo-Addo the title of a clearing agent. As he predicted, his ‘dear’ Cecilia Dapaah has been cleared, and what little integrity she has left will be for history to judge.

    Mr Mahama was tough enough on corruption, and many instances confirm this. All the allegations of corruption during his first term were actuated by malice and by a trumpeted campaign carefully hatched by the NPP, particularly Akufo Addo and Bawumia, to taint and tarnish the unblemished character of President Mahama.

    Ghanaians should be outraged at the mismanagement of the country and join the fight for change to rescue the nation from a failed government.

    The writer, Joyce Bawah Mogtari is a Private Legal Practitioner and Special Aide to former President John D. Mahama

  • Know that Cecilia Dapaah will go free once her case is in EOCO’s hands – Clement Apaak

    Know that Cecilia Dapaah will go free once her case is in EOCO’s hands – Clement Apaak

    Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has cautioned Ghanaians disappointed by the Special Prosecutor’s decision to drop the case against Cecilia Dapaah to brace themselves for further letdowns.

    He suggested that the recent development is just the beginning, and more disappointments may follow.

    Dr. Apaak responded to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) decision to abandon the application confirming the freezing of Cecilia Dapaah’s money and bank accounts, as well as dropping a criminal trial for failure to declare assets.

    The OSP stated that after seven months of investigation, the matter involves money laundering, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is tasked with handling it.

    Despite public disappointment in the OSP’s handling of the case, Dr. Apaak hinted that Cecilia Dapaah could be cleared and exonerated now that EOCO has taken over.

    He referred to President Akufo-Addo’s earlier expression of confidence in her exoneration following her resignation amid allegations of stolen cash from her residence.

    Dr. Apaak argued that the president’s statement was part of an orchestrated attempt to clear her name.

    “Those disappointed with the way the OSP has handled the Cecilia Dapaah matter should get ready for further disappointment now that the matter has been transferred to EOCO.

    “She will be cleared and exonerated, as was hinted in Akufo-Addo’s letter accepting her resignation.”

  • Why OSP dropped all charges against Cecilia Dapaah

    Why OSP dropped all charges against Cecilia Dapaah

    The Special Prosecutor has withdrawn the application to officially validate the seizure and freezing of funds and bank accounts belonging to Cecilia Dapaah, a former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

    Additionally, the office has abandoned a criminal trial initiated against the former sanitation minister for her alleged failure to declare assets.

    These decisions follow a series of private hearings on the matter. For several months, the Special Prosecutor has held Cecilia Dapaah’s funds, seized during a search of her residence as part of an ongoing investigation.

    The office had also imposed freezes on certain bank accounts linked to Cecilia Dapaah, citing allegations of corruption and corruption-related activities.

    Media-Briefing-25-January-2024Download
  • Court issues 72 hour ultimatum to OSP to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized funds

    Court issues 72 hour ultimatum to OSP to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized funds

    An Accra High Court has mandated the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return seized funds to former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, within 72 hours. 

    This directive comes as a result of an application by the OSP to confirm freezing and seizure orders related to bank accounts and assets at Dapaah’s residence.

    During a press conference on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, revealed that the OSP has discontinued its application for the confirmation of seizure and freezing orders. 

    Instead, the case will be handed over to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) for further investigation. Mr Agyebeng emphasized that his probe has uncovered evidence pointing towards a suspected case of money laundering, a matter more appropriately handled by EOCO.

    “A little over an hour ago, the Office discontinued its application that was pending before the High Court for confirmation of the seizure and freezing orders in pursuance of the referral of the case to EOCO. The court ordered that the office should return the cash sums and defreeze the accounts of an investment of Mrs. Dapaah within 72 hours,” Agyebeng stated.

    The SP highlighted the cross-border nature of the investigation, which led to the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from the United States back in October 2023. The collaborative efforts sought to unravel the legality surrounding the wealth amassed by Cecilia Dapaah and her associates, spanning both Ghana and the United States.

    Speaking on the matter, Agyebeng expressed the intent to maintain close collaboration with EOCO and continue working with the FBI as the case progresses.

    Background:

    The saga surrounding Cecilia Dapaah initially surfaced during the trial of two house helps, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, accused of stealing significant sums and items from the minister’s residence. The alleged thefts, which occurred between July and October 2022, involved personal effects valued at GH¢95,000 and US$95,000, among other items.

    Following the arrest of the house helps, the case took a complex turn, implicating additional individuals, including one of the accused’s current and former boyfriends and her father, on charges of dishonestly receiving stolen money. The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court in July 2023, and the case garnered public attention with calls for thorough investigations into the source of the funds.

    As the legal landscape surrounding Cecilia Dapaah’s case continues to evolve, Ghanaians await further developments from EOCO and the potential reexamination of the source of the funds that sparked this high-profile investigation.

  • Cecilia Dapaah to receive her frozen accounts from OSP within 72 hours

    Cecilia Dapaah to receive her frozen accounts from OSP within 72 hours

    An Accra High Court has directed the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return Cecilia Dapaah’s confiscated funds to her within 72 hours.

    The court’s decision came after the OSP submitted an application to validate the freezing and seizure orders related to the former Minister’s bank accounts and assets at her residence.

    In a press briefing, the Special Prosecutor announced that the ongoing case will be taken over and pursued by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

    “A little over an hour ago, the Office discontinued its application that was pending before the High Court for confirmation of the seizure and freezing orders in pursuance of the referral of the case to EOCO. The court order that the office should return the cash sums and defreeze the accounts of an investment of Mrs. Dapaah within 72 hours,” Kissi Agyebeng said.

    Mr. Agyebeng clarified that his investigation thus far indicates a potential case of money laundering.

    On that score, EOCO is better placed to handle affairs with respect to “suspected cases of money laundering and its attendant activity of structuring.”

    In October 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) partnered with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in a coordinated effort to thoroughly investigate former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour. This joint initiative aimed to scrutinize the legality of the wealth accumulated by Ms. Dapaah and her associates, spanning across both Ghana and the United States.

    During a statement on Thursday, January 25, 2024, the Special Prosecutor affirmed that his office would maintain a close working relationship with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and continue its collaboration with the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation.

    Background

    Two house helps who were employed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are facing charges for allegedly stealing money and items worth millions of cedis from the couple’s residence in Abelemkpe, Accra.

    The primary accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.

    During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000. Ms. Botwe is also accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister’s husband.

    Additionally, three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH¢1 million, GH¢180,000, and GH¢50,000.

    The stolen items and money were reported to the police in June 2023, leading to the arrest of Ms. Botwe, who was caught entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key. Further investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items.

    The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on July 20, 2023, and while bail was granted to Sarah Agyei, Patience Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, were remanded into lawful custody.

    The Special Prosecutor announced an investigation into the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.

  • OSP’s decision to hand over Cecilia Dapaah’s case to other agencies doesn’t sit well – Kofi Adams

    OSP’s decision to hand over Cecilia Dapaah’s case to other agencies doesn’t sit well – Kofi Adams

    Member of Parliament for Buem, Kofi Adams, expressed discontent with the decision of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to transfer the case involving former Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah to other agencies.

    Mr Adams noted that the public has more confidence in the OSP than other investigative bodies. Speaking on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, January 20, he shared his discomfort with the decision.

    “I am not too comfortable that he will be passing this on to another body. There appears to be more confidence in his office than the other agencies, ” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, January 20.

    “The investigation shows that the case is largely in the province of suspected money laundering and structuring. By operation of law, there are other law enforcement agencies which are reposed with a direct mandate in respect of money laundering and structuring. On that score, the Special Prosecutor will issue directives and further action on the matter in due course,” portions of the second half-year report of the OSP dated December 29, 2023 read.

    The OSP cited money laundering as a significant aspect of the case, prompting its decision to involve other law enforcement agencies with a direct mandate in this regard.

    In the second half-year report dated December 29, 2023, the OSP indicated that directives and further actions on the Cecilia Dapaah case would be issued in due course.

    The investigation, initiated in July 2023, focused on suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses involving large sums of money and valuable items linked to Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her spouse, Daniel Osei-Kufour.

    Despite several steps taken by the OSP, including freezing bank accounts and seizing assets, the High Court’s refusal to confirm orders led to re-seizure and re-freezing of assets.

    The investigation became cross-border in October 2023, involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in collaborative efforts with the OSP.

    The Special Prosecutor, in October 2023, revoked freezing orders for certain bank accounts that were no longer considered tainted property.

  • Cecilia Dapaah controversy has helped Ghana’s governance system – Martin Kpebu

    Cecilia Dapaah controversy has helped Ghana’s governance system – Martin Kpebu

    Renowned private legal practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has underscored the significant impact of the discourse surrounding the Office of the Special Prosecutor‘s (OSP) involvement in the Cecilia Dapaah matter on Ghana’s democracy.

    Mr. Kpebu emphasized that even if the state fails to secure convictions in the case, the extensive discussions it has generated will contribute to strengthening Ghana’s democracy, particularly in shaping the conduct of public officers.

    The comments from Mr. Kpebu follow the recent discontinuance of the Cecilia Dapaah case by the OSP, citing that it falls outside the office’s mandate.

    During an interview on Ghana Tonight on TV3 with Alfred Ocansey on January 17, 2024, Mr. Kpebu expressed the belief that the fallout from the case has served as a valuable admonishment for Ghanaian society.

    He stated: “I know some people who said they knew it, I wont call them naysayers, it’s always good that we have people who have their doubts. They also serve a very critical function in our society. But we can’t say that yet. Let’s not forget the number of interviews we’ve conducted on this case both on Ghana Tonight, KeyPoints etc.”

    Addressing skepticism about the outcome of the OSP’s probe, Mr. Kpebu acknowledged the doubters but stressed the critical function they play in society. He highlighted the educational aspect of the case, stating that it provided an opportunity to admonish and conscientize the public on the proper conduct expected of public officials.

    “We’ve used it to admonish ourselves –abnosom. This is how not to be in public office, this is how not to conduct yourself in public office. There is huge value in it. It serves our democracy that we were talking, we were conscientizing ourselves and etc. Even if at the end of the day we don’t end up with a conviction, still, it would have served a very useful purpose. This is a case to which we’ve seen hard evidence which we can point to that people can relate. So we can use it to strengthen our governance system even without getting a conviction in court,” he explained.

    The Cecilia Dapaah case, despite its discontinuance, has become a focal point for discussions on governance, accountability, and the role of institutions in upholding democratic values. As the nation reflects on the implications of this case, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to foster transparency and integrity in public service.