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Tag: Cecilia Dapaah

  • OSP intensifies probe into Cecilia Dapaah, sights money laundering

    OSP intensifies probe into Cecilia Dapaah, sights money laundering

    Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has issued the half-year report for the year 2023 in compliance with the laws governing the office.

    The 20-page report, dated December 29, 2023, provides updates on various cases under investigation or prosecution.

    One of the cases highlighted in the report is the Cecilia Dapaah scandal. The Special Prosecutor is currently investigating Cecilia Dapaah, a former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her spouse, Mr. Daniel Osei-Kufour, for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences.

    The investigation is focused on significant amounts of money, mainly in foreign denominations, and other valuable items discovered in their apartment.

    According to the latest report, the Special Prosecutor indicated that the investigations primarily revolve around suspected money laundering and structuring

    “By operation of law, there are other law enforcement agencies that 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,” the OSP added.

    Background

    The Office started its probe in July 2023 after news broke that domestic helpers of Cecilia Dapaah had stolen millions of dollars in cash involving local and foreign currencies.

    While the domestic helpers were undergoing investigation and prosecution, the OSP started probing Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Mr. Daniel Osei-Kufour, in a bid to unravel the source of the money.

    After searching their Abelenkpe residence, the OSP later froze a number of the former minister’s bank accounts.

    “The investigation has been largely aimed at determining the source(s) of the large cash sums. The office took several steps, including freezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments and seizing large sums from the residence of Ms. Dapaah and her spouse. Upon the refusal by the High Court to confirm the freezing and seizure orders, the Office re-seized the cash sums, re-froze the bank accounts and investments and applied to the court again for confirmation in FT0074/2023, The Special Prosecutor v. Cecilia Abena Dapaah & Daniel Osei-Kufour.”

    “From October 2023, the investigation became cross-border and transboundary upon the claim by the persons of interest that part of the seized cash sums was transported into the jurisdiction from the United States. For that reason, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States became involved in collaborative investigative work with the OSP on the matter.”

    In October 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah, which were eliminated from the focus of the investigation as no longer suspected to be tainted property.

  • Court adjourns Cecilia Dapaah, husband’s case to stop OSP from freezing their assets to February 1 

    Court adjourns Cecilia Dapaah, husband’s case to stop OSP from freezing their assets to February 1 

    Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah’s plea to halt the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from persisting in freezing her accounts and confiscating recovered cash from her Abelemkpe residence has been postponed to February 1, 2024.

    The OSP froze Dapaah’s Prudential Bank and Société Générale bank accounts after a substantial amount of money was discovered during a search at her home.

    On August 31, 2023, the High Court in Accra instructed the OSP to return the $590,000 and GH¢2.73 million seized from Cecilia Dapaah’s home within seven days.

    In response, the OSP disagreed with the court’s decision and asked the Human Rights Court to allow the continued freezing of the former minister’s properties and cash.

    On October 9, 2023, Cecilia Dapaah, in an application, sought an expedited resolution of the freeze and seizure case.

    The OSP announced on its Facebook page that the case has been adjourned to February 1.

    “The Human Rights Court sitting in Accra has adjourned to February 1, 2024, the case in which former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor, have filed an interlocutory injunction application against the OSP to restrain the Office from continuing to freeze Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seize cash recovered from their residence.”

    Background

    Madam Dapaah, the former Sanitation Minister, gained widespread attention in July 2023 when the Chronicle Newspaper reported that her domestic helpers were taken to court for allegedly stealing $1 million, 300,000 euros, several million cedis, and personal belongings of the former minister and her husband, valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis and dollars. 

    Following public outcry, Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her position and was subsequently arrested by the OSP, later being granted bail.

    On Monday, July 24, 2023, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor conducted a search at the former Minister of Sanitation’s residence. 

    The OSP reported discovering US$590,000 and GHC2.730,000 in cash at her apartment. Immediate action was taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor to seize these substantial cash sums as crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s hearing rescheduled to January 25

    Cecilia Dapaah’s hearing rescheduled to January 25

    The Accra High Court has deferred the hearing of the case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to Thursday, January 25, 2024.

    The case pertains to the former Minister’s alleged failure to disclose her income and property to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Furthermore, the OSP’s application to confirm freezing and seizure orders related to bank accounts and assets at Cecilia Dapaah’s residence has also been rescheduled to January 25.

    Lawyers for Madam Dapaah filed an injunction application against the OSP on October 10, 2023, citing potential irreparable damage if the OSP is not restrained.

    “This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State’s power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants’ considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”

    The Human Rights Court in Accra is hearing this application filed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor.

    The case, which seeks to restrain the OSP from continuing to freeze Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seizing cash recovered from their residence, has been adjourned to February 1, 2024.

    Background:

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

    The main accused individuals, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.

    The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Ms. Botwe and her alleged accomplices have been remanded into lawful custody, while Sarah Agyei has been granted bail.

    The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.

    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 Special Prosecutor announced that his office was investigating the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.

    “This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State’s power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants’ considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”

  • Court adjourns Cecilia Dapaah’s freezing account trial to Jan. 25

    Court adjourns Cecilia Dapaah’s freezing account trial to Jan. 25

    The Accra High Court has postponed the hearing of the case involving former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah to Thursday, January 25, 2024.

    The case revolves around the reported failure of the former Minister to declare her income and property to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Furthermore, the court has also deferred the consideration of the OSP’s application to confirm freezing and seizure orders related to Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts and assets at her residence to January 25.

    On October 10, 2023, Madam Dapaah’s legal team filed an injunction application against the OSP. According to court documents, the lawyers argued that without a restraint order, the former Minister would suffer irreparable damage due to the actions of the OSP.

    “This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State’s power to fight corruption. It is the Applicants’ considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”

    The application filed by Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffuor, is currently under consideration by the Human Rights Court in Accra. The case is aimed at restraining the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from further freezing Madam Dapaah’s accounts and seizing cash recovered from their residence.

    The court has adjourned the hearing of this case to February 1, 2024. The delay provides additional time for both parties to present their arguments and evidence before the court makes a decision on the matter.

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

    During this period, the house helps reportedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000. Additionally, Ms. Botwe is 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.

    Three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe’s current and former boyfriends and her father, are also 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 money and items, taken from the couple’s bedroom in their residence, prompted the complainants to report the theft case to the police in June 2023. Ms. Botwe was allegedly caught entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.

    Bail was granted to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties, while Ms. Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody.

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

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s hearing pushed to 2024 amidst FBI investigation

    Cecilia Dapaah’s hearing pushed to 2024 amidst FBI investigation


    The Accra High Court has postponed the hearing in the case involving former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to January 11, 2024.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) requested the adjournment during Friday’s proceedings, citing the pending investigative report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding Cecilia Dapaah.

    In October of this year, the FBI collaborated with the OSP in investigating Cecilia Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour. The joint effort aims to scrutinize the legality of wealth amassed by the former minister and her associates in both Ghana and the United States.

    The OSP sought the adjournment of the case, titled ‘Special Prosecutor V Cecilia Dapaah & Daniel Osei Kuffour (civil case) FT/0074/2023,’ involving frozen bank accounts and seized cash.

    The presiding judge granted the request, emphasizing the significance of the FBI’s involvement but directed the OSP to conclude its review of the motion before the next hearing.

    Background:

    The OSP charged Cecilia Dapaah for failing to declare her income and property.

    The statement of offense, filed at the High Court on October 6, stated that she failed to respond to a notice to declare her property within the stipulated 30 days, as required by the OSP Act.

    The OSP argued that this contravened the OSP Act, and Cecilia Dapaah should face punishment.

    In response, lawyers for Cecilia Dapaah filed an injunction application against the OSP on October 10, stating that if not restrained, irreparable damage would be inflicted upon the former Minister.

  • Cecilia Dapaah V OSP: Court adjourns motion for confirmation of seizure and criminal case to Dec. 11

    Cecilia Dapaah V OSP: Court adjourns motion for confirmation of seizure and criminal case to Dec. 11

    The High Court has once again rescheduled the hearing of the motion for confirmation of seizure & freezing orders and criminal case filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    The motion will be heard on December 11, 2023, the OSP said in a post on X on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Monday, September 11, filed a motion at the High Court seeking confirmation of seizure and freezing orders of the financial assets of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.

    A hearing was slated for October 18, 2023 but was adjourned November 8. That was also adjourned to November 29. Per reports from GNA, the trial Judge, Justice Edward Twum, was on leave and the case had to be adjourned once again.

    The Cedi and Dollar bank accounts belonging to the former minister were frozen by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on August 9, but the High Court in Accra on August 31, overturned the decision.

    The court ordered that funds seized from the former minister be returned to her within seven days and also directed the OSP to unfreeze Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts.

    The OSP subsequently invoked its powers to retake custody of the money, days after the High Court asked the office to return the seized money.

  • State files new charges against Cecilia Dapaah’s maid and 7 others

    State files new charges against Cecilia Dapaah’s maid and 7 others

    State Prosecutors have lodged new charges at the High Court against Patience Botwe, the former housemaid of ex-Minister for Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    Botwe, aged 18, along with seven others, faces charges related to the alleged theft of significant sums of money, including $1 million, 300,000 euros, and various other properties.

    Since July 6 of this year, they have been under investigation and appeared before the Circuit Court. During a court session on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, a police prosecutor, along with Superintendent Sylvester Asare and Akosua Agyepomaa Agyemang, a Senior State Attorney, informed the Court that a fresh charge sheet had been submitted to the High Court.

    ASP Nyamekye explained that the Registrar of the High Court had yet to schedule a hearing date, which was necessary for the Prosecution to inform the Circuit Court of the upcoming withdrawal.

    ASP Nyamekye clarified that, with this recent development, the charge sheet pending in the Circuit Court would be withdrawn once a hearing date at the High Court is assigned.

    “The State Attorney informed me that they have filed an enehanced Charged Sheeet at the High Court yesterday waiting for a date to be issued,” DSP Nyamekye told the Court.

    According to him, if a date is assigned, the Prosecution “will come and seek the leave of the Court and withdraw the case from here (Circuit Court) and continue at High Court.”

    As a result, the case has been adjourned until November 8, 2023, to allow the Prosecution to withdraw the application from the Circuit Court.

    Murtala Inusah, the Legal Affairs Correspondent for EIB Network, reported that the fresh Charge Sheet was submitted to the High Court on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

    All the accused individuals were present in court, with the exception of the eighth accused, who remains at large.

    Patience Botwe, an 18-year-old hairdresser, along with Sarah Agyei, aged 30 and unemployed, Benjamin Sowah, aged 29 and a plumber, Malik Dauda, aged 34 and unemployed, Christiana Achab, a trader, Job Pomary, a mechanic, and Yahaya Sumaila, an Excavator operator, face provisional charges consisting of 14 counts of offenses.

    The eighth accused person, facing similar charges, is currently evading capture.

    Their pleas on the 14 provisional counts, which include one count of conspiracy, five counts of conspiracy, and eight counts of dishonestly receiving, have not yet been recorded.

  • Wendy Shay ‘shades’ Cecilia Dapaah in new track ‘African Money’

    Wendy Shay ‘shades’ Cecilia Dapaah in new track ‘African Money’

    Ghanaian singer and songwriter, Wendy Shay, on October 25, released her new track, “African Money.”

    “Africa Money” which is now out on all platforms, has garnered massive attention due to the theme of the song.

    The music focuses on how government officials in Africa are embezzling state funds against engaging in developmental initiatives that would better the wellbeing of citizens.

    Wendy Shay, known to play with sensitive words and controversial topics, has done it again. This time, she went for the jugular.

    She references former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, as one of the individuals who is surrounded by huge sums of money but is unable to state exactly the source of the funds.

    Part of the song sings, “African money na everyone dey chop oh nyafu nyafu.
    Our money na everyone dey chop oh nyafu nyafu.
    President dey chop oh nyafu nyafu. Governor dey chop oh nyafu nyafu.
    African money na everyone dey chop oh nyafu nyafu.
    Me ma ye dwuma Kora nanso onni sika (my mum works but she has no money)
    Aunty Cece nso da pahn, osore a sika nkoa (Aunty Cece sleeps al ot, when she wakes up, it is just money)”.

    Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are reported to have been robbed by two of their househelps in their home in Abelemkpe, Accra.

    The two, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei are said to have undertaken their operation between July and October 2022.

    At an Accra Circuit Court, Patience and Sarah are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing, which include amounts of US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghana Cedis.

    Clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000 were reportedly stolen as well.

    Three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the theft being investigated.

    29-year-old plumber, Benjamin, is accused of dishonestly receiving GH¢180,000, whereas Kweku Botwe, a 65-year-old trader, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH¢50,000.

    The third, Malik Dauda, 23, who is unemployed, is said to have dishonestly received GH¢1 million.

    It is alleged that the accused used the stolen funds to finance various properties and purchases, including renting a 3-bedroom apartment and a store in Tamale, buying vehicles, and funding other personal expenses.

  • Chief Justice denies OSP’s petition to replace Justice Twum in Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Chief Justice denies OSP’s petition to replace Justice Twum in Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has requested that Justice Edward Twum be removed from the Cecilia Dapaah case; however, Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has rejected this request.

    The OSP had petitioned to have Justice Twum removed from all cases involving Cecilia Dapaah because they claimed he had shown bias against them. The Chief Justice, however, rejected the petition.

    The OSP revealed that in a post on X, the former Twitter, “by a letter dated 25 October 2023, the Judicial Secretary informed The Special Prosecutor that, the Chief Justice is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for his lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused and removed from all cases involving the OSP pending before him.”

    The OSP made the request because they thought Justice Edward Twum seemed to have strong biases against both the OSP and the Special Prosecutor.

    Attorneys for Ms. Dapaah pushed for a hearing on the OSP’s motion to confirm the freezing and seizure order at the most recent postponed date.

    They hinted that OSP had withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice to have the judge saved and removed, based on what they had heard in the media.

    Justice Twum informed the court that he had received instructions to proceed with the cases as the OSP had withdrawn its previous request. However, the Prosecutors from the OSP contested this claim, asserting that their request had not been officially withdrawn.

    Additionally, the Prosecutors revealed to the court that they had filed a certiorari application and a stay of proceedings in response to the judge’s decision not to consider a supplementary affidavit from the OSP, which presented new facts and evidence.

    Consequently, the court decided to adjourn all cases involving Ms. Dapaah under the jurisdiction of the OSP indefinitely, awaiting further instructions from the Chief Justice.

  • Chief Justice denies OSP’s request to remove Justice Edward Twum from Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Chief Justice denies OSP’s request to remove Justice Edward Twum from Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has noted that its request to Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to have Justice Edward Twum recused and removed from all cases involving the OSP pending before him has been denied.

    The OSP made the announcement in a public notice shared on X on October 25, 2023.

    According to the OSP, the Chief Justice’s decision was communicated via a letter by the Judicial Secretary.

    “By a letter dated 25 October 2023, the Judicial Secretary informed The Special Prosecutor that, the Chief Justice is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for his lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused and removed from all cases involving the OSP pending before him,” the notice read.

    On October 12, the OSP requested the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo to recuse and remove His Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases involving the Office pending before him due to the well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.”

    His Lordship Justice Edward Twum

    “Consequently, as it stands, the OSP would not and cannot be reasonably expected to be parties to proceedings before the said judge,” a post from the OSP read.

    A court granted a request from Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team to reschedule the confirmation hearing for an earlier date, rather than the initially set date of October 18, however, the OSP asserted that they could not have Justice Edward Twum preside over the request since they believed he displayed significant bias against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor personally.

    In light of these concerns, the OSP decided that they cannot and should not be reasonably expected to participate in proceedings overseen by the aforementioned judge.

    But on Wednesday, October 18, it was reported that the High Court has been informed by the OSP that the petition asking for a new judge for the Cecilia Dpaah case is still pending barely minutes after the judge stated that he had been notified that it had been withdrawn.

    This claim has been rejected by the Office.

    In a public notice, the OSP noted: “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has not withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice for the recusal and removal of his Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases pending before him involving the OSP.”

    “The public is urged to disregard all reports to the contrary,” the notice added.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) commenced investigation in July 2023 in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items involving Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

    The Special Prosecutor took measures, including issuing a freezing order in respect of the bank accounts and other financial assets of Ms. Dapaah to facilitate the investigation.

    Subsequently, the investigation has eliminated five (5) of the bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah from suspicion of being tainted property.

    On October 16, 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of the eliminated five (5) bank accounts of Ms Dapaah.

  • Request to have Justice Edward Twum recused from Cecilia Dapaah’s case has not been withdrawn – OSP

    Request to have Justice Edward Twum recused from Cecilia Dapaah’s case has not been withdrawn – OSP

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has refuted claims that it has withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice for the recusal and removal of his Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases pending before him involving the OSP.

    On October 12, the OSP requested the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo to recuse and remove His Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases involving the Office pending before him due to the well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.”

    His Lordship Justice Edward Twum

    “Consequently, as it stands, the OSP would not and cannot be reasonably expected to be parties to proceedings before the said judge,” a post from the OSP read.

    A court granted a request from Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team to reschedule the confirmation hearing for an earlier date, rather than the initially set date of October 18, however, the OSP asserted that they could not have Justice Edward Twum preside over the request since they believed he displayed significant bias against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor personally.

    In light of these concerns, the OSP decided that they cannot and should not be reasonably expected to participate in proceedings overseen by the aforementioned judge.

    But on Wednesday, October 18, it was reported that the High Court has been informed by the OSP that the petition asking for a new judge for the Cecilia Dpaah case is still pending barely minutes after the judge stated that he had been notified that it had been withdrawn.

    This claim has been rejected by the Office.

    In a public notice, the OSP noted: “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has not withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice for the recusal and removal of his Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases pending before him involving the OSP.”

    “The public is urged to disregard all reports to the contrary,” the notice added.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) commenced investigation in July 2023 in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items involving Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

    The Special Prosecutor took measures, including issuing a freezing order in respect of the bank accounts and other financial assets of Ms. Dapaah to facilitate the investigation.

    Subsequently, the investigation has eliminated five (5) of the bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah from suspicion of being tainted property.

    On October 16, 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of the eliminated five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah. The freezing order is still in force and effect in respect of the other bank accounts and financial assets of Ms. Dapaah.

  • OSP provides update on Cecilia Dapaah cases

    OSP provides update on Cecilia Dapaah cases

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has updated the public on the current status of two of its cases against former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah via a notice on social media.

    Republic V Cecilia Abena Dapaah (criminal case) CR/0006/2023

    The case involves the refusal of Madam Dapaah to declare her property and income as demanded by the OSP. According to the Office, the case has been adjourned sine die (no definite date or period to resume) awaiting the Chief Justice’s directive.

    OSP V Cecilia Dapaah & Daniel Osei Kuffuor (civil case) FT/0074/2023

    This case entails the freezing and seizure orders by the Special Prosecutor of bank accounts and large sums of money from the home of Cecilia Dapaah.

    The case has been adjourned indefinitely, pending guidance from the Chief Justice, the OSP noted.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) commenced investigation in July 2023 in respect of suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items involving Ms. Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

    The Special Prosecutor took measures, including issuing a freezing order in respect of the bank accounts and other financial assets of Ms. Dapaah to facilitate the investigation.

    Subsequently, the investigation has eliminated five (5) of the bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah from suspicion of being tainted property.

    On October 16, 2023, the Special Prosecutor revoked the freezing order in respect of the eliminated five (5) bank accounts of Ms. Dapaah. The freezing order is still in force and effect in respect of the other bank accounts and financial assets of Ms. Dapaah.

    Meawhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has refuted claims that it has withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice for the recusal and removal of his Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases pending before him involving the OSP.

    “The public is urged to disregard all reports to the contrary,” the OSP added.

  • $2m stolen from another presidential staffer’s home – Martin Kpebu reveals

    Renowned legal practitioner, and political activist Martin Kpebu, has alleged that another senior presidential staffer has fallen victim to a theft of over a million dollars from his home. He made this shocking disclosure during a panel discussion on Citi TV’s “The Big Issue” on Saturday.

    Mr. Kpebu said he heard about the incident either about three days or a week ago, but did not mention the name of the affected staffer. He said people were trying to keep it quiet, but he felt the need to expose it as part of the fight against corruption.

    “We also have to keep talking about Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s case. We are not talking enough at all, because corruption is so rife. Look, I will not mention names, but just 3 days ago or so or in the last one week, I heard that another senior presidential staffer had over a million dollars stolen from his home. People are trying to keep it quiet, but we have to expose it. Listen, in a democracy, some people have to talk and sometimes pay the price for it. That’s how it is. A very senior staffer had close to 2 million dollars just stolen from his home. Wow!” he said.

    Kpebu’s revelation comes at a time when the country is still reeling from the high-profile case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah. Her situation became a public spectacle in July this year, following the discovery of the theft of valuables and cash worth over $1.4 million from her residence, leading to a broader investigation into potential corruption, theft, and money laundering. Notably, the case escalated when the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) became involved, seizing significant sums of money from Dapaah’s premises, amongst other investigative processes. The case is still in court.


    Against this backdrop, Kpebu highlighted the urgent need for greater transparency in the asset declaration process for public officers and pointed to initiatives by organisations like the Human Rights and Governance Centre, advocating for a bill that mandates public officers to declare and publish their assets online, aiming to enhance transparency and reduce associated costs.

    “Earlier in the week, we had a big conversation about asset declaration. You know, the Human Rights and Governance Center is trying to push for a new bill that would require every public officer to publish his assets online on a website after declaring them. This would reduce the cost and increase the transparency of the process. These are some of the things we discussed,” he said.

    However, the conversation took a significant turn as Kpebu redirected attention to the alarming levels of corruption, exemplified by recent events. Without naming specific individuals, he recounted hearing about the theft of close to $2 million from the home of a high-ranking presidential staffer. This incident, according to Kpebu, is symptomatic of the larger issue at hand – the accumulation of unexplained wealth and the lack of effective mechanisms to scrutinise the same.

    “So you see why we keep repeating that we should search the officers at the presidency, the ministers, and their homes. We should search them. If they clear their homes of the money, good for them.

    “But we are just playing. They are playing and we are playing ostrich. The money is in their homes. Listen, if we don’t do this, we are not fighting corruption. If we don’t search all the ministers, forget it. You see, earlier on I had been talking about this minister who has four houses back to back in East Legon. Some radio stations have started talking about it. Very soon his name will be put out,” he mentioned.

    Calling for decisive action, Kpebu insisted on the need for rigorous searches of officials at the presidency, ministers, and their respective residences. “We have made a report by sitting here and saying that they have money in their homes. That’s a report. If they clear their homes of the money, good for them,” he stated, highlighting the passive approach that both the public and officials seem to be adopting regarding these serious allegations.

    He further chastised the general attitude towards corruption and the lack of a proactive mindset in combating it. Kpebu cited public perception, where individuals often defend politicians by attributing their wealth to prior business successes.  

    Quoting Socrates from Plato’s “The Republic,” Kpebu reinforced the notion that honesty is a foreign to a politician. This perspective, he believes, is crucial in shaping public understanding and expectation of political figures.

    “Look, Socrates said it in Plato’s book The Republic: there is no honest politician. There is no honest politician. It’s a reality. He said it’s a rule and every rule may have an exception, but that’s the main rule. So what I’m saying is that we don’t have the right mindset for fighting corruption. We sit down and a large majority of our people, because they don’t have access to much information and all that, they say: “Oh, but he’s a big man. He was doing this business and that business and so on. So if he’s holding anything, it’s from business.

    Yeah, right! The last time I came here, was it the last time or before? I met one of the panelists here and he started to tell me that he had this business and that business. I said: “Master, master! I remember you in 2016. You hardly had a job. I met you somewhere and you were begging for a job.” Right now you’re driving a big car? One of the panelists! I said: “Don’t do that! Don’t tell me this! Tell that to the marines!” Mr Kpebu submitted.

    In a passionate appeal, Kpebu called for a more hands-on approach to tackling corruption, demanding that ministers and public officers be subjected to thorough searches as part of anti-corruption efforts. This step, he argues, is essential if the nation is sincere about eradicating corruption from its political landscape.

    “So the thing is that we must search the ministers if we are not searching the ministers forget about this fight against corruption. We [must] line them up one by one and search them,” he concluded, signifying the urgent need for practical measures against the deeply entrenched corruption within the system.

  • Cecilia Dapaah is going through a lot, she needs empathy – Martin Kpebu

    Cecilia Dapaah is going through a lot, she needs empathy – Martin Kpebu

    Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has called on members of the public to share in the feelings and experiences of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, during her current challenging times.

    Madam Cecilia Dapaah currently has her domestic staff in court over stolen cash. Following this incident, she is being investigated for corruption-related activities by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    On the matter, Mr Kpebu has consistently supported the OSP’s decision to investigate Madam Dapaah, seize money found in her residence, and freeze her bank accounts based on suspicions of their being connected to illicit activities.

    According to Mr Kpebu, he has the right to comment on public discourse and has only made remarks based on the facts available.

    “We comment based on the facts and we use the law, you know, public interest. We have to do it. It is part of our job as citizens. We have to contribute to the public debate and all that. That was what she was asking about. I said yes, Madam it is part of our job and I will continue.

    “I know it can cause pain and all that but I will continue to do it,” he continued.

    However, he has entreated Ghanaians to show the former Minister empathy as she goes through a tough time.

    “Let’s not forget she is going through a lot, so she needs empathy. You can’t run away from it. If it were you or I, it would happen that I would need empathy. Where you have almost everybody in the nation baying for her blood. It can be that tough.”

    He made the plea while refuting claims that he had a confrontation with former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, over her stolen cash case and the seizure of her assets by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    On October 11, former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, engaged private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu following the High Court’s consideration of arguments for expediting the confirmation of the freezing and seizure orders.

    Martin Kpebu was present in court to represent his client in a separate case in Financial Court 2, where the proceedings for the Cecilia Dapaah case were being conducted.

    Mr Kpebu says Madam Dapaah was polite to him. He explained that Madam Dapaah only asked about the “commentaries I have been running.”

    “To be very honest with you, considering what she is going through, as against the conversation we had, she was very cordial. She was a bit very polite. Polite is a better word. No, she wasn’t fighting me,” he added.

  • Cecilia Dapaah did not fight me, she was ‘polite’ – Martin Kpebu

    Cecilia Dapaah did not fight me, she was ‘polite’ – Martin Kpebu

    Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has refuted claims that he had a confrontation with former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, over her stolen cash case and the seizure of her assets by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    On October 11, former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, engaged private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu following the High Court’s consideration of arguments for expediting the confirmation of the freezing and seizure orders.

    Martin Kpebu was present in court to represent his client in a separate case in Financial Court 2, where the proceedings for the Cecilia Dapaah case were being conducted.

    The outspoken lawyer has consistently supported the OSP’s decision to investigate Dapaah, seize money found in her residence, and freeze her bank accounts based on suspicions of their being connected to illicit activities.

    In response to these comments, Dapaah, who appears to be affected by the remarks, is said to have accused Martin Kpebu of making unfair and biased statements.

    But Mr Kpebu says such claims are false as Madam Dapaah was polite to him. He explained that Madam Dapaah only asked about the “commentaries I have been running.”

    “To be very honest with you, considering what she is going through, as against the conversation we had, she was very cordial. She was a bit very polite. Polite is a better word. No, she wasn’t fighting me,” he added.

    According to Mr Kpebu, he has the right to comment on public discourse and has only made remarks based on the facts available.

    “We comment based on the facts and we use the law, you know, public interest. We have to do it. It is part of our job as citizens. We have to contribute to the public debate and all that. That was what she was asking about. I said yes, Madam it is part of our job and I will continue.

    “I know it can cause pain and all that but I will continue to do it,” he continued.

  • Court approves expedited hearing for Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    Court approves expedited hearing for Cecilia Dapaah’s case

    The Accra High Court has rescheduled the hearing for the application to freeze the accounts of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, to October 12, 2023.

    The court had initially set the hearing for October 18, 2023, but it changed the date after receiving an application for abridgment of time from the former Minister. Justice Edward Twum ruled in favor of expediting the trial, stating that the former Minister would suffer greater hardship if the application for abridgment was not heard earlier.

    This decision followed the court’s earlier rejection of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) initial application to freeze Mrs. Dapaah’s accounts on August 31, 2023. Subsequently, the OSP was ordered to release her funds on September 5, 2023, but it filed another application to freeze the accounts.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) served Cecilia Abena Dapaah with the freezing application on September 20, 2023, and the original date for hearing the application was set for October 18, 2023. Victoria Barth, the lead counsel for the former Minister, argued that the delay in deciding the application for abridgment of time would cause undue hardship to her client.

    She also acknowledged receiving the OSP’s opposed application, characterizing it as a “comprehensive repeat application” for the confirmation of seizure and freezing orders related to suspected “tainted property.”

    She said: “My Lord you have power under Order 80 (4) (1) as well as your inherent jurisdiction to reduce or abridge time in the interest of justice.”

    Esther Tetteh and other lawyers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) opposed the application for abridgment of time.

    Cecilia Abena Dapaah has also filed an injunction application to prevent the OSP from continuing its investigation into her.

  • Show respect to the court; you are not above the law – Cecilia Dapaah’s lawyer to OSP

    Show respect to the court; you are not above the law – Cecilia Dapaah’s lawyer to OSP

    Lawyers representing Cecilia Dapaah have accused the Office of the Special Prosecutor of showing disrespect to the court in their handling of the petition to have Justice Edward Twum removed from the case.

    On a scheduled court date, lawyers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor were absent on Thursday. Their absence was particularly notable as they were supposed to present an application for the confirmation of seizure and freezing orders, as well as initiate proceedings related to the charges of refusal to declare assets against Cecilia Dapaah.

    The judge presiding over the case was left with no choice but to adjourn the proceedings to a later date, pending a response from the Chief Justice regarding the request to remove him from the case.

    The request is grounded on the OSP’s well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.

    This development did not sit well with Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team, who expressed their disappointment in the Office of the Special Prosecutor for failing to notify them about the petition.

    Victoria Barth indicated in court that “I am not aware of any law or rule of procedure that dispenses with the absence of a lawyer or prosecutor just because they have petitioned the Chief Justice in respect of a matter of which they have due notice and have even initiated.”

    She insisted in court that the office of the special prosecutor has not treated the court with respect and fairness.

    “As lawyers, we have an ethical duty to show respect to the court and to treat all persons we engage in the administration of justice fairly and that has not happened today. The OSP is not above the law,” Victoria Barth said in court.

    They characterized the petition as a deliberate strategy aimed at obstructing the morning’s scheduled hearing for the confirmation application, and as an attempt to evade responsibility for their own flawed application.

    Furthermore, the court was unable to proceed with the case against the former sanitation minister, who was charged with refusing to declare her assets. This was due to the absence of lawyers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which was a result of the ongoing petition to disqualify the judge from any of their cases.

    Cecilia Dapaah’s legal representatives also raised concerns about the decision of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s lawyers to abstain from court proceedings.

  • Remove judge from Cecilia Dapaah’s case; he is biased against me – OSP tells CJ

    Remove judge from Cecilia Dapaah’s case; he is biased against me – OSP tells CJ

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has requested the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo to recuse and remove His Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases involving the Office pending before him.

    “The request is grounded on the OSP’s well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.”

    “Consequently, as it stands, the OSP would not and cannot be reasonably expected to be parties to proceedings before the said judge,” a post from the OSP on Thursday read.

    His Lordship Justice Edward Twum

    On Wednesday, a court granted a request from Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team to reschedule the confirmation hearing for an earlier date, rather than the initially set date of October 18.

    However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) asserted that they could not have Justice Edward Twum preside over the request since they believed he displayed significant bias against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor personally.

    In light of these concerns, the OSP has decided that they cannot and should not be reasonably expected to participate in proceedings overseen by the aforementioned judge.

  • Remove ‘highly prejudiced’ Justice Twum from Cecilia Dapaah’s case – OSP tells Chief Justice

    Remove ‘highly prejudiced’ Justice Twum from Cecilia Dapaah’s case – OSP tells Chief Justice

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has requested the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo to recuse and remove His Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases involving the Office pending before him.

    The request is grounded on the OSP’s well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.

    Justice Edward Twum

    “Consequently, as it stands, the OSP would not and cannot be reasonably expected to be parties to proceedings before the said judge,” a post from the OSP on Thursday read.

    On Wednesday, a court granted a request from Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team to reschedule the confirmation hearing for an earlier date, rather than the initially set date of October 18.

    However, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) asserted that they could not have Justice Edward Twum preside over the request since they believed he displayed significant bias against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor personally.

    In light of these concerns, the OSP has decided that they cannot and should not be reasonably expected to participate in proceedings overseen by the aforementioned judge.

  • We don’t sleep soundly at night when ministers hoard dollars, cedis in their homes – Nyaho-Tamakloe

    We don’t sleep soundly at night when ministers hoard dollars, cedis in their homes – Nyaho-Tamakloe

    A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, is throwing his support behind the recent outcry from the youth regarding the challenges facing the nation.

    He believes that the youth’s reactions are warranted, especially in light of the lavish lifestyles of some of President Akufo-Addo’s appointees. Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe contends that it’s unreasonable for ministers to amass significant amounts of foreign and local currencies in their residences while acquiring properties in affluent areas within the country, and simultaneously expect the youth to remain indifferent.

    During a press conference organized by former military officers on the theme “The State of Ghana Today,” Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe emphasized the need for prompt action to address any potential repercussions.

    “In this old age of ours we don’t sleep soundly at night. Ghana has been riddled with perceived corruption of political public office holders amassing unexplained wealth, tribalism, nepotism and parochial in their interest, especially under this regime under President Akufo-Addo.”

    “How do Ministers hoard stashes of cash in foreign and local currencies in their homes, acquire properties in prime areas of Accra and other parts of the country, drive the most luxurious cars and live extravagantly and expect our youth who remain largely without meaningful employment to be satisfied.”

    Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe further remarked that President Akufo-Addo has undergone a notable transformation from the individual he portrayed while campaigning for the presidency.

    He went on to express his view that President Akufo-Addo has profoundly let down the Ghanaian people.

    “These are critical warning signs going to destroy the security of the state. We need to pay critical attention to this. The Akufo-Addo I knew and had numerous dialogues and demonstrations with is not the Akufo-Addo who is now president.”

  • Cecilia Dapaah confronts Martin Kpebu over unfair comments about her trial

    Cecilia Dapaah confronts Martin Kpebu over unfair comments about her trial


    Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah has engaged in a confrontation with private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu due to his comments concerning the ongoing investigations being conducted against her by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Martin Kpebu has consistently backed the OSP on its decision to investigate Cecilia Dapaah, seize monies found in her home, and freeze her bank accounts on suspicion that they were tainted properties.

    The Law Platform

    However, the former minister, appearing to be perturbed by Martin Kpebu’s comments, accused him of providing unfair commentary. This incident occurred on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, following the High Court’s consideration of arguments for expediting the hearing of the confirmation of the freezing and seizure orders.

    Photo credit: The Law Platform

    Martin Kpebu was present in court to represent his client in a distinct case within Financial Court 2, which coincided with the proceedings related to the Cecilia Dapaah case.

    Nevertheless, he clarified that his commentary had been solely grounded in the publicly accessible facts of the case.

  • Martin Kpebu confronted by Cecilia Dapaah over alleged unfair comments in seizure case

    Martin Kpebu confronted by Cecilia Dapaah over alleged unfair comments in seizure case

    Former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, engaged in a confrontation with private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, concerning his public commentary on the ongoing investigations conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against her.

    The outspoken lawyer has consistently supported the OSP’s decision to investigate Dapaah, seize money found in her residence, and freeze her bank accounts based on suspicions of their being connected to illicit activities.

    In response to these comments, Dapaah, who appears to be affected by the remarks, accused Martin Kpebu of making unfair and biased statements.

    This incident occurred on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, following the High Court’s consideration of arguments for expediting the confirmation of the freezing and seizure orders.

    Martin Kpebu was present in court to represent his client in a separate case in Financial Court 2, where the proceedings for the Cecilia Dapaah case were being conducted.

    The lawyer, however, clarified that his commentary was grounded in the publicly available facts of the case.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s request for expedited hearing of cash seizure case granted by High Court

    Cecilia Dapaah’s request for expedited hearing of cash seizure case granted by High Court

    The High Court has granted former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah’s request for an expedited hearing of the case concerning the seizure of her money and the freezing of her bank accounts.

    As a result, the court has rescheduled the hearing from its initially slated date of October 18 to tomorrow, October 12.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) had previously submitted an application seeking the court’s permission to maintain the seizure of a sum of money discovered at Cecilia Dapaah and her husband’s residence, as well as to continue freezing her bank accounts.

    In response, Ms. Dapaah filed an application requesting the court to expedite the case’s hearing.

    The legal representatives of Cecilia Dapaah and her husband argued that the application for an expedited hearing was based on the grounds that the delay in the case was causing undue hardships to the respondents.

    They also stated that the application for confirmation was a repeated request, and granting their request for an expedited hearing would not prejudice the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    Lawyers from the OSP however opposed the application claiming that Cecilia Dapaah and her husband are seeking to prevent them from “responding to their affidavit in opposition to the substantive application for confirmation of freezing and seizure orders.”

    Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team, led by Victoria Barth, emphasized that the request for an expedited hearing is additionally based on the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) failure to provide them with the confirmation application in a timely manner.

    The lawyers pointed out that despite their client’s notification of her willingness to forgo personal service of the application, which was submitted on September 5, it was not served to them until September 20.

    But lawyers from the Special Prosecutor’s office argued that the said request was irregular as their process is “an originating notice on motion which is a process that requires personal service.”

    But Cecilia Dapaah’s lawyers opposed this view saying “It cannot be correct that a party is not entitled to waive personal service of a process and to say I have instructed a lawyer to receive on my behalf.”

    Cecilia Dapaah also grounds this application on an assertion that the confirmation application filed on September 5 is a repeat of an application that was dismissed on August 31.

    According to her lawyers, “On August 8, 2023, the respondent filed an application for the same reliefs as those in their application with the return date of October 18. That earlier application was premised on the same events and information which they seek to rely upon in the second application and that is why I call it a repeat application.”

    However, the anti-graft body said this view is based on a misconception.

    Lawyers for the OSP indicated that “The substantive application is a fresh process unfettered by any prior considerations. This application is originating from events of September 5 and not on July 24.”

    The court, after careful consideration of these arguments, approved the application with a minor adjustment. The confirmation application is now scheduled to be heard on Thursday, October 12, as opposed to the originally proposed date of October 18.

    Justice Eric Twum found the previously established timelines for the re-seizure, re-freezing, and the return date to be inequitable. The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) re-seized the money on September 5, 2023, and filed the application six days later on September 11. However, the process was not served on Cecilia Dapaah and her husband until September 20. Surprisingly, the OSP’s team had chosen a return date of October 18, which was more than a month after the initial processes were filed.

    In light of these circumstances, the judge determined that any further delay in hearing the case would be detrimental to the well-being of the applicants (Cecilia Dapaah and her husband). Therefore, he granted the application to move the confirmation application to October 12 to ensure fairness and expedite the trial.

  • FBI conducts investigation on Cecilia Dapaah’s financial transactions and assets

    FBI conducts investigation on Cecilia Dapaah’s financial transactions and assets

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have jointly launched simultaneous investigations into the activities of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her associates.

    In a statement posted by the OSP on Twitter, it revealed that the investigations primarily focus on scrutinizing their assets and financial transactions within the United States of America.

    It added that the collaborative effort aims to determine the legality of the wealth held by Ms. Dapaah and her associates, both concerning the movement of funds from Ghana to the United States and vice versa.

    “These investigations primarily focus on examining their assets and financial transactions within the United States of America,” the OSP added.

    Ms. Dapaah came under public scrutiny in July when it was revealed that two of her domestic workers were facing charges of alleged theft, involving significant sums of money and valuable items.

    As a result, she resigned from her position on July 22, 2023, following public pressure.

    Meanwhile, the former Sanitation Minister has taken legal action by filing an interlocutory injunction application against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in an attempt to halt the investigation and prosecution of her and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor, on charges of suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses.

    he is also seeking to unfreeze her bank accounts and challenge the reseizure of monies found at her residence in Abelemkpe, which were refrozen.

    Her legal team is requesting a court order that prohibits the OSP from continuing the investigation into her and her husband for corruption-related offenses.

    “A Declaration that the Respondent’s re-seizure of the money (initially seized from the Applicant’s home on 24/07/23) and re-freezing of Applicant’s bank accounts respectively on 5th September 2023 is unfair, unreasonable, capricious, arbitrary, and ultra vires the Respondent’s statutory powers under Act 959 relative to the constitutional provisions of Articles 23 and 296 of the Constitution, 1992.”

    Court documents filed by the OSP have indicated that Ms. Dapaah used aliases to obscure transactions linked to undeclared real estate business and other activities, which led to the reseizure and refreezing of her bank account.

    However, Ms. Dapaah has refuted these claims, characterizing them as misleading.

  • Cecilia Dapaah charged by OSP for failing to declare income and property

    Cecilia Dapaah charged by OSP for failing to declare income and property

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has officially charged Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, for her failure to adhere to a directive from the office to declare her “property and income.”

    As part of their ongoing investigations, the Office of the Special Prosecutor had requested that Cecilia Dapaah disclose information regarding her income and property.

    Cecilia Dapaah is currently under investigation for alleged corruption and corruption-related offenses, including the suspected “tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from her residential premises.”

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has recovered this large cash from her residence.

    According to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, as outlined in a charge sheet signed by Kissi Agyebeng and filed on October 6, 2023, Cecilia Dapaah, without a lawful excuse, failed to comply within thirty (30) days with a notice to declare her property and income.

    This notice was served on her by the Special Prosecutor on July 24, 2023, as stipulated in regulation 20(1) per Forms 1A and 1B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374), as specified in regulation 20(2) and Form 21 of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374).

    Consequently, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has formally charged the former minister with one count of failing to comply with a lawful demand of an authorised officer of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in the performance of his functions,” which contravenes “section 69(1)(a) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

  • Full charge sheet filed by OSP against Cecilia Dapaah

    Full charge sheet filed by OSP against Cecilia Dapaah

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor has officially charged Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, for her failure to adhere to a directive from the office to declare her “property and income.”

    Read the full Charge Sheet filed on October 6, 2023 below

    COUNT ONE

    STATEMENT OF OFFENCE

    FAILING TO COMPLY WITH A LAWFUL DEMAND OF AN AUTHORISED OFFICER OF THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NI THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS FUNCTIONS, contrary to section 69(1) (a) of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959).

    PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE

    CECILIA ABENA DAPAAH, 68 years, circa 25 August 2023 in Accra in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being a suspect under investigation for corruption and corruption related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from your residential premises and also retrieved from same by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, without lawful excuse, failed, within thirty (30) days, to comply with a notice to declare your property and income served on you by the Special Prosecutor on 24 July 2023 under regulation 20(1) per Forms 1A and 1B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374) as specified in regulation 20(2) and Form 21 of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374).

    Dated at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, 6 Haile Selassie Avenue, South Ridge Accra this Sixth day of October 2023.

    FACTS TO BE ADDUCED

    The Accused was, until 22 July 2023, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources.

    She is a suspect under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor for corruption and corruption-related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from her residential premises and also retrieved from same by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    The evidence will establish that on 24 July 2023, the Special Prosecutor, in the performance of his functions, served on the Accused a notice to declare her property and income under regulation 20(1) per Forms 11A and 11B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374).

    The Accused was duly notified as per the statutory forms and by a cover letter under the seal of the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the seal and mark of the Special Prosecutor, that she was required by law to make the specified declarations and return same to the Office of the Special Prosecutor as per Form 12 of the First Schedule of L.I. 2374, within thirty (30) days of service on her of the notice.

    As at the close of business on 5 October 2023, the Accused had willfully failed, without lawful excuse, to return the duly completed statutory forms to the Office of the Special Prosecutor, more than thirty (30) days after the service of the notice and forms on her.

    The Accused has been duly charged with the offence on the Charge Sheet.

  • Court to hear Cecilia Dapaah’s plea to unfreeze accounts today

    Court to hear Cecilia Dapaah’s plea to unfreeze accounts today

    Today, October 11, within the High Court Complex, Financial Court 2 is scheduled to convene for the purpose of reviewing an application presented by former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah. This application pertains to the seizure and freezing order initiated by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    Furthermore, on the upcoming date of October 16, Financial Court 2 is set to hold a session to deliberate an application presented by the OSP. The purpose of this application is to request the court’s permission to submit a supplementary affidavit, which is intended to present additional evidence that has been uncovered in relation to Ms. Dapaah.

    Cecilia Dapaah initiated an interlocutory injunction application against the OSP on the 10th of October. This application seeks to impede and prevent the Special Prosecutor from proceeding with its investigation and legal proceedings against her and her husband, Daniel Osei Kufuor, who face allegations of corruption and corruption-related crimes.

    As per the court documents that have been obtained and sourced through citinewsroom.com, it becomes evident that the former Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, is also seeking the court’s intervention to compel the OSP to unfreeze her bank accounts, which have been subjected to a freezing order.

    She is also asking the court to deem as arbitrary and unfair the seizure of money discovered in her Abelemkpe home and the refreezing of her bank accounts.

    “A Declaration that the Respondent’s re-seizure of the money (initially seized from the Applicant’s home on 24/07/23) and re-freezing of Applicant’s bank accounts respectively on 5th September 2023 is unfair, unreasonable, capricious, arbitrary, and ultra vires the Respondent’s statutory powers under Act 959 relative to the constitutional provisions of Articles 23 and 296 of the Constitution, 1992.”

    In July, it was revealed that Cecilia Dapaah’s two housekeepers were in court in Accra for allegedly stealing millions of Ghana Cedis’ worth of cash and other items.

    She submitted to public pressure and announced her resignation from her position after receiving calls for her to step down and undergo an investigation On July 22, 2023.

  • Cecilia Dapaah files injunction against OSP in fear of ‘irreparable harm’

    Cecilia Dapaah files injunction against OSP in fear of ‘irreparable harm’

    Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who is facing legal challenges related to the freeze of her accounts and cash seizure, has submitted an injunction application against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    This application is intended to prevent the OSP from prosecuting her until the case is resolved.

    According to the court documents filed on Tuesday, October 10, Dapaah’s legal team argues that allowing the OSP to proceed with the prosecution could cause her irreparable harm.

    They are urging the court to carefully consider the balance between her rights and the state’s efforts to combat corruption.

    “This Court is enjoined to balance the economic right of the affected persons against the State’s power to fight corruption.”

    “It is the Applicants’ considered view that they would suffer irreparable harm if the Respondent is not restrained pending the final determination of the substantive matter.”

    Additionally, the former minister has denied allegations made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that she is involved in an undisclosed real estate business. She asserts that the OSP has not presented any evidence to support this claim.

    The court document filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor said Cecilia Abena Dapaah “was engaged in undisclosed and undeclared real estate business in which she obscured and concealed the transactions by employing the use of aliases to avoid detection of the actual ownership of the business and properties, while cleverly receiving proceeds of the transactions in her bank account and investments.”

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is making efforts to ascertain the seizure of properties suspected to be linked to Madam Dapaah. However, it has alleged that Madam Dapaah did not declare her income and property as required by the OSP Act.

    According to the statement of offense filed at the High Court on Friday, October 6, Cecilia Dapaah failed to comply with a notice to declare her property, which was served on Monday, July 24. This failure to declare within the stipulated 30-day period, as outlined in the OSP Act, is considered a contravention of the law, and the OSP is seeking legal action as a result.

    “Cecilia Abena Dapaah, 68 years, 25 August 2023, in Accra in the Greater Accra Region of the Republic of Ghana and within the jurisdiction of this Court, being a suspect under investigation for corruption and corruption-related offences including using public office for profit in respect of suspected tainted large cash sums reportedly stolen from your residential premises and also retrieved from same by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, without lawful excuse, failed, within 30 days, to comply with a notice to declare your property and income served on you by the Special Prosecutor on 24 July 2023 under regulation 20(1) per Forms 1A and 1B of the First Schedule of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374) as specified in regulation 20(2) and Form 21 of the First Schedule of the Ofice of the Special Prosecutor (Operations) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2374).”

  • Freezing my account causing me stress and hardship – Cecilia Dapaah tells court

    Freezing my account causing me stress and hardship – Cecilia Dapaah tells court

    Former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, has made an urgent plea for an expedited court hearing following actions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, which resulted in the seizure of money from her residence and the freezing of her bank accounts, according to a report by citinewsroom.com.

    Dapaah states that these measures have led to significant hardship, stress, and public embarrassment. In her formal request, she emphasises the critical nature of her situation, seeking a swifter legal intervention.

    Her plea for urgency follows a previous High Court ruling where the court instructed the anti-corruption agency to release her funds and defreeze her bank accounts.

    However, in a twist, the Office of the Special Prosecutor reinstated the freeze and re-seized her assets, leading to Dapaah’s appeal for prompt resolution.

    While the case was originally slated for October 18, following the submission of the confirmation application on September 11, Dapaah is making a case for the hearing to be advanced to October 11.

    Dapaah also took the opportunity to counter allegations from the Office of the Special Prosecutor. They had asserted that she conducted real estate transactions under pseudonyms and that funds were still being channelled to her from her late brother’s bank accounts.

    In a formal affidavit, she responded to these claims, particularly opposing the re-seizure of the GH¢2.83 million and the sustained freezing of her accounts.

    This legal tussle shines a spotlight on the operations of the anti-corruption agency and the ramifications for individuals under investigation.

  • First suspect in Cecilia Dapaah’s theft case refused bail over bad record at Juvenile Court

    The alleged mastermind in the theft case involving Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Sanitation and Water Resource Minister, has been denied bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

    The court’s decision was based on the fact that Patience Botwe, an 18-year-old former house help of the former Minister, had previously skipped bail at Juvenile Court “C” in Accra after it had been granted to her.

    “This court is not inclined to grant bail to first accused person (Patience Botwe) because proceeding of the Juvenile Court C showed that she flouted the court bail and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.  

    “Even when the case was struck out in March this year, the accused person was not arrested despite the bench warrant. Bail application for first accused person is refused,” the court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah held.  

    The court’s decision came after the lawyer representing the accused individual, Nana Addo Asrifi, requested bail for Patience, citing a previous grant of bail at the Juvenile Court. In response, the Circuit Court instructed its Registrar to obtain records from the Juvenile Court to verify the claims regarding the bail granted to the client.

    Furthermore, the court has directed the Prosecution to expedite their investigations so that the pleas of the accused individuals can be heard on the next scheduled date. The court has also tasked the Police with investigating the properties of the sureties presented by the accused individuals to facilitate their release on bail.

    Led by Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Akosua Agyepomaa, the Prosecution informed the court that they had received extensive documentation from the Police, which they needed to review before taking further action.

    The ASA explained that the Police had been instructed to investigate specific aspects of the case, and they had complied by producing the voluminous documents. Additionally, the Attorney General was actively involved in the case docket.

    Several lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated requests for adjournments by the prosecution, citing concerns about the impact on the freedom of the accused individuals. Mr. J. K. Ntoni, representing two of the accused persons, questioned why the prosecution consistently sought adjournments to the detriment of the accused individuals.

    Earlier, defense counsel members voiced their clients’ frustrations regarding the challenges they faced in fulfilling the requirements for their bail.

    Mr Raymond Felli, who was led by Mr Yaw Dankwah, said they had been frequenting the Police station in their bid to execute the bail, adding, “they have been asking us to go and come back.”  

    The court’s decision came after the lawyer representing the accused individual, Nana Addo Asrifi, requested bail for Patience, citing a previous grant of bail at the Juvenile Court. In response, the Circuit Court instructed its Registrar to obtain records from the Juvenile Court to verify the claims regarding the bail granted to the client.

    Furthermore, the court has directed the Prosecution to expedite their investigations so that the pleas of the accused individuals can be heard on the next scheduled date. The court has also tasked the Police with investigating the properties of the sureties presented by the accused individuals to facilitate their release on bail.

    Led by Assistant State Attorney (ASA) Akosua Agyepomaa, the Prosecution informed the court that they had received extensive documentation from the Police, which they needed to review before taking further action. The ASA explained that the Police had been instructed to investigate specific aspects of the case, and they had complied by producing the voluminous documents. Additionally, the Attorney General was actively involved in the case docket.

    Several lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated requests for adjournments by the prosecution, citing concerns about the impact on the freedom of the accused individuals. Mr. J. K. Ntoni, representing two of the accused persons, questioned why the prosecution consistently sought adjournments to the detriment of the accused individuals.

    Earlier, defense counsel members voiced their clients’ frustrations regarding the challenges they faced in fulfilling the requirements for their bail.

  • Cecilia Dapaah theft scandal: Main accused skipped bail in juvenile court – New details emerge

    In a riveting twist to the ongoing legal saga surrounding the alleged theft case involving Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the former Sanitation and Water Resource Minister, the purported mastermind, Patience Botwe, has been denied bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

    The courtroom drama unfolded as the court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, revealed that the 18-year-old Patience Botwe, a former house help of the ex-Minister, had jumped bail at Juvenile Court “C,” Accra, after being initially granted bail.

    The court, unyielding in its decision, declared, “This court is not inclined to grant bail to the first accused person (Patience Botwe) because proceedings of the Juvenile Court C showed that she flouted the court bail, and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest. Even when the case was struck out in March this year, the accused person was not arrested despite the bench warrant. Bail application for the first accused person is refused.”

    The shocking revelation came after the lawyer for the accused, Nana Addo Asrifi, sought bail for Patience, asserting that she had been granted bail at the Juvenile Court. This prompted the Circuit Court to direct its Registrar to investigate the proceedings at the Juvenile Court to verify the claims made regarding the accused’s bail.

    The court, displaying a no-nonsense approach, further instructed the Prosecution to expedite their investigations so that the pleas of the accused persons could be heard on the next adjourned date. It also directed the Police to scrutinize the properties of the sureties presented by the accused persons to facilitate the execution of their bail.

    Led by Assistant State Attorney Akosua Agyepomaa, the Prosecution informed the court of their reception of voluminous documents from the Police, intending to peruse them before taking any action. However, the delay caused by the Prosecution’s frequent adjournment requests raised concerns among some defence lawyers.

    Expressing frustration, Mr J. K. Ntoni, representing two of the accused persons, questioned why the Prosecution kept seeking adjournments, emphasizing the potential impact on the freedom of the accused.

    Defence counsels, earlier in the proceedings, highlighted the challenges their clients faced in executing their bail. Mr Raymond Felli, led by Mr Yaw Dankwah, revealed their recurrent visits to the Police station, stating, “They have been asking us to go and come back.”

    Amidst the legal intricacies, the accused individuals, facing eleven charges related to stealing money and items from the residence of the former Minister, include Sarah Agyei, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary, Malik Dauda, Patience Botwe, Benjamin Sowa, and Yahaya Sumaila. Notably, Franklin Sarakpo is reported to be at large.

    The court, under the lead of Deputy Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Nyamekye, stated that the fact and charge sheets had been amended. Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to October 18, 2023, adding more suspense to this already sensational legal drama.

  • Cecilia Dapaah case: Special Prosecutor should be supported other than being told to quit – Domelevo

    Cecilia Dapaah case: Special Prosecutor should be supported other than being told to quit – Domelevo

    Former Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo, has voiced his dissent against those advocating for the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to halt his anti-corruption endeavours amidst criticism from government officials.

    In his perspective, it is improper for individuals to propose that the Special Prosecutor should abandon his mission to investigate the embezzlement case and assets related to the former Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    Domelevo clarified that it is a constitutional obligation for the government to address corrupt activities and instances of office misuse, as stipulated in the state policies outlined in the constitution.

    “So he comes in to play a role to ensure that even if we can’t eradicate as required by the constitution, at least reduce it to the barest minimum.

    “So if he [Special Prosecutor] has difficulties and they say he should just stop it, what happens if a different person comes and he also has difficulties then we leave it like that, no,” he said on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday.

    Mr Domelevo stressed that it is essential to support the Office of the Special Prosecutor in his mission to fight against corruption and corruption-related activities because he is not just fighting it for himself but also making financial savings for the country.

    “So we should rather be resolved in helping him to be successful,” he said.

    Commenting on the practice of journalists obtaining court documents and publishing them with regard to Madam Dapaah’s case, the former Auditor General expressed his preference for completing investigations before disclosing extensive details.

    He explained that in audits, initial findings might seem severe, but as investigations progress, issues can be mitigated or resolved.

    Mr Domelevo suggested that the law should differentiate between information accessible during an investigation and after charges have been filed.

    He expressed his belief that when the prosecution of Madam Dapaah begins, “the charges against her can be dismissed by the court depending on the defenses that she would raise.”

  • I don’t own a real estate business – Cecilia Dapaah refutes OSP report

    I don’t own a real estate business – Cecilia Dapaah refutes OSP report

    Former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah has refuted allegations made by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) that she possesses and runs an undisclosed real estate enterprise.

    In a press statement issued by the former Minister’s Personal Assistant, Kofi Mensah Asare, it was asserted that these allegations are baseless and inaccurate, and they have the potential to generate public discontent within the family.

    He urged the OSP to refrain from engaging in what he referred to as “trial by public opinion,” which he believes can lead to prejudiced judgments in the court.

    “Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah has never owned a real estate business. She bought a Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) apartment at Kpone affordable housing scheme for her late mother and later decided to sell it off. How that translates to her owning a real estate business beats human imagination,” Mr Mensah stated.

    This comes after the OSP alleged that Cecilia Abena Dapaah “was engaged in undisclosed and undeclared real estate business in which she obscured and concealed the transactions by employing the use of aliases to avoid detection of the actual ownership of the business and properties, while cleverly receiving proceeds of the transactions in her bank account and investments.”

    Recently, the OSP confiscated a substantial amount of cash from the former Minister and initiated the freezing of specific bank accounts connected to transactions exceeding ¢40 million.

    However, an Accra High Court declined to validate the seizures and the freezing order, instructing the OSP to return the seized funds to Cecilia Dapaah, a directive that was complied with. Nevertheless, the Special Prosecutor has returned to court to seek validation for the seizures.

    Furthermore, allegations have been raised against Madam Cecilia Dappah, including claims that an account linked to her deceased brother continued to transfer funds to her accounts. Her personal assistant has refuted all these allegations, providing explanations for why the Special Prosecutor’s claims are inaccurate.

    Regarding the bank account of Cecilia Dapaah’s deceased brother, Mr. Mensah clarified that the account was established to receive donations during the funeral proceedings. Following the funeral, the donations were utilized to establish the account, with both Madam Cecilia Dapaah and her elder sister, Madam Alice Dapaah, serving as signatories to the account.

    “Does that warrant a headline that her late brother is signing cheques and sending her money?” he quizzed.

    Mr Mensah Asare also stated that claims that Madam Dapaah had money hidden in obscure places in her house with some concealed in wraps and clothes, is a figment of the OSP’s imagination. 

    “Has the OSP forgotten that the husband of Madam Cecilia Dapaah constantly receives cash from people whose building projects he supervises?

    “The public is advised to treat the publications and allegations with the contempt they deserve, The OSP is advised to desist from its fiendish delight in trial by the press,” he stressed.

  • Cecilia Dapaah case: $590K found by OSP part of $1M theft – Court

    Cecilia Dapaah case: $590K found by OSP part of $1M theft – Court

    It has come to light that former sanitation minister, Cecilia Dapaah, in a recent court filing by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has revised the amount of money allegedly stolen by her house helps in the previous year.

    Initially, the report and court filing against the house helps alleged the theft of one million dollars, along with significant amounts in euros and Ghana cedis, from her residence in Abelemkpe.

    However, the latest submission by the OSP to the court reveals that Minister Dapaah has reduced the figure to US$590,000. This particular sum was discovered at the same premises during a search conducted by the OSP in her presence in July.

    “She said the US$590,000 which was found by the OSP was a part of the one million dollars which was stolen by the eight people who are now standing trial for theft,” a TV3 journalist confirmed.

    During the search conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), a sum of US$590,000 in dollars and GH¢2.8 million in cash was uncovered.

    Following this discovery, the OSP took legal action by applying to a High Court to seize the funds and freeze the accounts of Ms. Dapaah. This action was taken on suspicion that the origin of these funds was connected to corrupt activities, as the minister was unable to provide a legitimate source for the money.

    Regarding the primary matter of the stolen funds, the OSP stated that there was insufficient evidence to ascertain the source of these stolen funds.

    “There are no financial records and traces of the origin(s) of the money reportedly stolen from the residence of the respondents and the money discovered by the OSP at said residence.

    “Further, there is no evidence of the amounts of money having been derived from any legitimate businesses, profession or vocation, and no evidence of said amounts having been lawfully declared and subjected to any statutory payments,” the filing read in part.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) initially unfroze the former minister’s accounts and returned her properties, in accordance with the court’s directive issued on August 21. Subsequently, the OSP refroze the accounts and took the current legal action by submitting a new application.

    A hearing for this matter has been scheduled for October 18, 2023.

  • OSP claims Cecilia Dapaah still receives cash from dead brother’s account

    OSP claims Cecilia Dapaah still receives cash from dead brother’s account

    New court documents from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) have brought to light that a bank account associated with the deceased brother of Cecilia Dapaah has been actively transferring funds to the former Sanitation Minister.

    This development marks the latest effort by the OSP to confirm the seizure of suspected illicit assets linked to Madam Dapaah.

    In a recent incident, the OSP seized a substantial amount of cash from the former Minister and imposed a freeze on certain bank accounts with transactions totaling over GH¢40 million.

    An Accra High Court initially declined to confirm the seizures and freezing order, instructing the OSP to return the funds to Cecilia Dapaah, which the Special Prosecutor duly complied with. However, the OSP has returned to court, seeking confirmation of the seizure.

    Exclusive documents obtained by media and subsequently submitted to the court by the Office of the Special Prosecutor indicate that the former Minister allegedly possesses millions of cedis for which she has been unable to substantiate the source.

    Additionally, these filings contain fresh allegations that an account linked to the deceased brother of the former Minister continues to transfer funds to Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts.

    “Analysis of the statements in the first respondent’s (Cecilia Dapaah) bank account revealed highly suspicious transactions involving the name of the first respondent’s deceased brother – Nana Akwasi Essan.

    “The said Nana Akwasi Essan died in January 2022 and there is no record domiciled at the financial institutions of probate or letters of administration granted to personal representatives).

    “Strangely, there are active transfers from the deceased person’s bank account to that of the first respondent’s account”, the filing alleges.

    The OSP continue to allege that “as recently as September 19, 2022, and May 23, amounts of GH¢10,450 and GH¢11,280 respectively were transferred, supposedly by the deceased brother to the first respondent (Cecilia Dapaah).”

    Meanwhile, the High Court is scheduled to review the case on October 18, 2023, as the Special Prosecutor makes another endeavor to secure confirmation for the seized funds and the freezing of the bank accounts.

  • OSP files motion for confirmation of seizure and freezing orders on Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts

    OSP files motion for confirmation of seizure and freezing orders on Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts

    Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has submitted a motion for the confirmation of seizure and freezing orders pertaining to the “tainted properties” associated with the embattled former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    The hearing for this matter is scheduled for October 18.

    On August 31, the Financial and Economic Division of an Accra High Court issued an order directing the Office of the Special Prosecutor to return all seized funds from Cecilia Dapaah within seven days.

    Additionally, the Court ruled that it was unable to confirm the freezing of her bank accounts and other assets.

    It’s important to note that Cecilia Abena Dapaah had contested the OSP’s application to freeze her accounts and seize her properties.

    It followed the OSP’s filing of a motion for confirmation of the order of freezing and seizure of the former Minister’s tainted property.

    The OSP said to facilitate investigations, it considered it necessary for the issuance of a “freezing order against the bank account and investment of the former Minister at Prudential Bank Limited and Societe General Ghana in accordance with Section 38 (1) of Act 959 and regulation 19 (I) of LI 2374”.

    Subsequently, the OSP conducted searches in three residential properties associated with the former Minister at Cantonment, Abelemkpe and Tesano all in Accra.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) expressed its disagreement with the high court’s decision to reject the application for the seizure and freezing orders concerning Cecilia Dapaah’s assets.

    The high court’s refusal was based on several grounds, including the application being filed outside the stipulated time frame. Additionally, the OSP was criticized for not disclosing transaction details in the accounts and for implementing the freezing order based on public sentiments without a proper investigation.

    As a result, the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court has instructed the OSP to return all seized funds from Cecilia Dapaah, with a stipulated compliance period of seven days. The court also clarified that it could not confirm the freezing of her bank accounts and other properties.

    In response, the OSP, while respecting the court’s decision, issued a statement expressing disagreement with the court’s conclusion, deeming it erroneous.

  • Cecilia Dapaah has no proof she accrued the monies from her business – Kpebu backs OSP

    Cecilia Dapaah has no proof she accrued the monies from her business – Kpebu backs OSP


    Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has expressed appreciation for the actions taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) in re-freezing the bank accounts and reclaiming the funds of former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    The Financial Division of the Accra High Court had previously ruled on August 31 that the OSP must return all confiscated assets of the former minister and unfreeze her accounts within seven days.

    The court’s decision was based on its determination that the OSP had improperly seized her property and lacked sufficient grounds to freeze her bank accounts. It concluded that the OSP’s actions were based on speculation and a response to public sentiment, indicating inadequate investigative efforts.

    However, on September 5, the OSP complied with the High Court’s order but promptly re-seized the property and imposed a fresh freeze on her accounts and funds, citing ongoing investigations.

    During an appearance on Ghana Tonight on TV3, Mr. Kpebu emphasised that Madam Abena Dapaah had not provided sufficient evidence to establish her ownership of the funds in question.

    “There is no way we could look at the laws and allow Madam Dapaah to go with the money,” he said, adding that the Court has rather provoked the OSP to probe the minister further.

    “She hasn’t shown she has run any businesses,” he observed.

    “From Day 1, if she had a company that was producing so much in sales and she had money and she could explain this, you think the company wouldn’t have come out?” he wondered.

    He maintains that there is no clear demonstration that the former Bantama Member of Parliament (MP) could have accumulated such a substantial amount of money solely from her earnings as a minister.

    The controversy surrounding Madam Abena Dapaah’s finances began when she reported the disappearance of a significant sum, nearly $1 million, €300,000, and an undisclosed amount in Ghanaian Cedis.

    She had alleged that two of her domestic staff were responsible for stealing these funds from her residence.

    Subsequently, in accordance with Section 32(1) of Act 959, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) conducted searches at her three residences and uncovered approximately $590,000 and GH2.73 million at her Abelemkpe home.

    Following this discovery, the OSP issued a freeze order on Madam Abena Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments held at Prudential Bank and Societe Generale Bank in accordance with Section 38(1) of Act 959 and regulation 19(1) of LI 2374.

    However, the High Court later ruled against this freeze order, mandating the release of her accounts and funds within seven days.

    The OSP has argued that, due to ongoing investigations, it deems it necessary to re-impose a freeze on these accounts.

    “Therefore, the Special Prosecutor has invoked his statutory power under section 38(1) of Act 959 and regulation 19(1) of LI 2374 by directing the freezing of the bank accounts and investments of Ms Dapaah effective September 5, 2023.”

  • Cecilia Dapaah has not proven stolen money came from her companies – John Kpebu

    Cecilia Dapaah has not proven stolen money came from her companies – John Kpebu

    Private legal expert, Martin Kpebu commended Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng for re-freezing the funds in the bank accounts of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah.

    Kpebu praised the Special Prosecutor’s actions, noting that Dapaah has not provided evidence that the substantial amount of money stolen was derived from her business activities.

    Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Mr. Kpebu suggested that Cecilia Dapaah would have provided an explanation if the stolen funds were indeed linked to her business endeavors.

    Additionally, he stated that the companies involved would have come forward to clarify their positions when the scandal became widely known in both the public domain and the media.

    “There is no way we could look at the laws and allow Madam Dapaah to go with the money,” Martin Kpebu said.

    He continued that, “She hasn’t shown she has run any business.”

    The private legal practitioner added that, “From day one, if she had a company that was producing so much in selling and she had money and she could explain this, you think the company wouldn’t have come out?”

    The Financial Division of the Accra High Court issued a ruling on Thursday, August 31, 2023, instructing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return all seized assets of Cecilia Dapaah and unfreeze her accounts within seven days. The court concluded that the OSP lacked valid grounds for the seizure of the property and the freezing of her accounts, emphasizing that the OSP had acted based on speculation and public sentiment.

    However, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the OSP, in compliance with the High Court’s order, once again froze Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts and assets.

    Background

    In the meantime, two housekeepers employed by Cecilia Dapaah are currently facing charges in an Accra Circuit Court.

    They are accused of stealing an amount totaling $1 million, €300,000, along with millions of Ghanaian cedis from her residence in Abelemkpe in October 2022.

    The two individuals, identified as 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, allegedly pilfered the money and personal belongings of the couple during the period from July to October 2022.

    They have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of theft involving US$1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis.

  • Lead suspect in theft case involving Cecilia Dapaah seeks bail

    Lead suspect in theft case involving Cecilia Dapaah seeks bail

    Attorneys representing Patience Botwe, the primary suspect in the theft case involving former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Dapaah, have submitted a bail application to the Circuit Court in Accra.

    This move follows numerous verbal requests for bail made by her legal team.

    During the court appearance on Tuesday, September 5, Nana Addo Asrifi, the lead counsel for Madam Botwe, appealed to the court to grant bail to his client. However, this request was opposed by the prosecution, led by Assistant State Attorney Akosua Agyeman.

    Additionally, Benjamin Sowah, Madam Botwe’s boyfriend, also filed a bail application, which was ultimately denied by the presiding judge, Afia Owusuaa Appiah.

    The judge’s decision was based on Mr. Sowah’s alleged involvement in the theft case, the amount of money he is believed to have received, and the circumstances of his arrest.

    On a different note, Yahaya Sumaila, the seventh accused person and an excavator operator, was granted bail in the amount of GH¢300,000, with two sureties required for justification.

    He must also deposit his passport with the court’s registry and report to the police every two weeks.

    During the court proceedings, the Assistant State Attorney requested a two-week adjournment to allow investigators to conclude their inquiries. She attributed the delay to directives given to the investigators following advice from the Attorney General regarding the case docket.

    The case has been adjourned to September 19.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts, investments frozen again

    Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts, investments frozen again

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has invoked his statutory power under Section 38(1) of Act 959 and Regulation 19(1) of L.I. 2374 to retain possession of Madam Cecilia Dapaah’s funds, despite the High Court’s directive to return them.

    This means the former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister will not be receiving the money seized from her house anytime soon.

    On August 9, the former minister’s cedi and dollar accounts were frozen by the OSP pending further investigations into corruption and corruption-related activities.

    But last week, the Accra High Court issued an order instructing the OSP to unfreeze Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and return seized cash.

    However, the OSP, in a statement, asserted that it had indeed complied with the court’s order but clarified that ongoing investigations had led them to believe that the money might be linked to illegal activities, prompting them to maintain custody of the amount.

    The OSP has therefore frozen Cecilia Dapaah’s bank accounts.

    “Consequently, subsequent to the indicated ruling and order of the High Court and the compliance by the OSP with said ruling and order, the Special Prosecutor considers that freezing the bank accounts and investments of Ms. Dapaah is necessary to facilitate the ongoing investigation. Therefore, the Special Prosecutor has invoked his statutory power under section 38(1) of Act 959 and regulation 19(1) of L.I. 2374 by directing the freezing of the bank accounts and investments of Ms. Dapaah effective 5 September 2023.”

    “Further, subsequent to the indicated ruling and order of the High Court and the compliance by the OSP with said ruling and order, the Special Prosecutor considers that he has reasonable grounds to suspect that the cash amounts seized from and returned to Ms. Dapaah is tainted property and it is necessary to exercise the power of seizure to prevent the concealment or loss of said cash amounts. Therefore, the Special Prosecutor has again invoked his statutory power under section 32(1)(a) of Act 959 by directing the seizure from Ms. Dapaah of the cash amounts previously seized from her. Authorized officers of the OSP have seized the said cash amounts from Ms. Dapaah.”

    In July 2023, former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, garnered significant public attention when The Chronicle Newspaper reported that her domestic staff had been taken to court on allegations of stealing a substantial sum of money and personal belongings. The reported stolen items included $1 million, 300,000 euros, several million cedis, and various valuable possessions belonging to both the former minister and her husband.

    Following public outcry, Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her ministerial position and was subsequently arrested by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). She was later granted bail.

    On Monday, July 24, 2023, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor conducted a search at the former minister’s residence. During this operation, the OSP uncovered a significant amount of cash totaling US$590,000 and GHC2.730,000.

    Promptly recognizing the importance of this discovery as potential evidence in their ongoing investigation, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor took immediate action by seizing these substantial sums of cash. Additionally, the OSP exercised its authority to freeze seven bank accounts belonging to Cecilia Dapaah as part of the investigative process.

  • OSP refreezes Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts again

    OSP refreezes Cecilia Dapaah’s accounts again

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken a series of actions concerning the assets of Cecilia Dapaah, following a court directive to unfreeze her accounts and return her seized cash.

    This development occurred subsequent to an order from the Accra High Court, instructing the OSP to unfreeze the accounts and investments of former minister Cecilia Dapaah and return the confiscated funds.

    Initially, the OSP complied with the High Court’s ruling, unfreezing Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments as instructed.

    However, the OSP has now opted to reinstate the freeze on Ms. Dapaah’s bank accounts and investments as of September 5, 2023. This decision stems from ongoing investigations into suspected corruption and corruption-related activities involving substantial sums of money connected to Cecilia Dapaah.

    “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has complied with the ruling and order of the court of the High Court, Accra dated 31 August 2023 by unfreezing the frozen bank accounts and investments of Cecilia Dapaah. The OSP has also returned the seized cash sums of Ms Dapaah in the presence and assent of Ms Dapaah and her lawyers,” part of the statement read.

    The statement claims that following the High Court’s decision and order, as well as the adherence to the decision, continued inquiry has turned up contradicting stories of who owns and where the money that was allegedly taken from her home.

    The OSP contends that it made a sound conclusion about the former minister.

    “Consequently, subsequent to the indicated ruling and order of the High Court and the compliance by the OSP with the said ruling and order, the Special Prosecutor considers that freezing the bank accounts and investments of Ms Dapaah is necessary to facilitate the ongoing investigation. Therefore, the Special Prosecutor has invoked his statutory power under Section 38(1) of Acts 959 and regulation 19(1) of L.I. 2374 by directing the freezing of the bank account and investments of Ms Dapaah effective 5 September 2023.

    “Further, subsequent to the indicated ruling and order of the High Court and the compliance by the OSP with the said ruling and order, the Special Prosecutor considers that he has reasonable grounds to suspect that the cash amounts seized from and returned to Ms Dapaah is tinted property and it is necessary to exercise the power to seizure to prevent the concealment or loss of said cash amounts.

    “Therefore, the Special Prosecutor has again invoked his statutory power under section 32(1)(a) of Act 959 by directing Ms. Dapaah of the cash amounts previously seized from her. Authorized officers of the OSP have seized said cash amounts from Ms Dapaah,” the statement said.

  • Unfreezing Cecilia Dapaah’s account shows fighting corruption in Ghana is a lonely endeavour – GII

    Unfreezing Cecilia Dapaah’s account shows fighting corruption in Ghana is a lonely endeavour – GII

    The Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has conveyed her dissatisfaction with the court’s directive instructing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return confiscated funds to the embattled former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    Mary Addah expressed her view that these developments underscore the challenging nature of combating corruption in Ghana, often being a solitary endeavor.

    She emphasized the importance of state institutions unequivocally supporting anti-corruption efforts in all circumstances. During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, September 2, Addah articulated her belief that the court’s decision was not in the best interest of the country.

    “This is one of the instances where it is difficult to comprehend what exactly is going on. The Office of the Special Prosecutor is one that will help this country if we want to fight corruption, and we continue to support them to carry out their investigations and prosecutions of corruption and corruption-related offenses, and what this judgement brings to bear is that fighting corruption continues to remain a very lonely endeavor,” she told host, Samson Lardy. 

    On Thursday, August 31, the Financial and Economic Division of an Accra High Court issued a directive instructing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return all funds that had previously been seized from the embattled former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    The Court further mandated that compliance with this ruling must be accomplished within a seven-day timeframe. Additionally, the Court clarified that it could not affirm the freezing of her bank accounts and other assets.

    Subsequently, the OSP released a statement in response to the Court’s order, expressing its respect for the directive while simultaneously disagreeing with it, citing what it deemed as errors in the decision.

    “While the OSP respects the Court’s decision, it disagrees with the decision of the Court. First, the OSP believes that the Court’s computation of the time limitation is, with respect, erroneous.”

    “The OSP searched three (3) private residences associated with Ms. Dapaah over the course of two (2) weeks. The searches and discovery were ongoing during that period. There is little doubt that the OSP filed its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery window is considered.”

    The OSP further clarified that its decision to freeze the accounts was not based on public sentiments as it is purported.

    “The freezing order was not based on public sentiments. Rather, it was based on court processes filed in a criminal matter before the Circuit Court, Accra involving Ms. Dapaah as the complainant. Further, the freezing order was effected to aid the investigation, as required by law, not on the basis of the investigation, as indicated by the Court. Therefore, it cannot be said that the OSP did not carry out proper investigations to warrant the freezing order. The investigation has only commenced, and it is ongoing.”

    The OSP is investigating Madam Dapaah for corruption and corruption-related offences following the revelation that she was keeping more than $1 million in her house.

  • Cecilia Dapaah: Take less interest in the media and focus on your job – Richard Ahiagbah tells OSP

    Cecilia Dapaah: Take less interest in the media and focus on your job – Richard Ahiagbah tells OSP

    Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has expressed criticism of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s handling of a suspected corruption case involving former Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    Ahiagbah has raised concerns that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) appears to be prioritizing media attention over the essential task of thoroughly investigating the case to gather the requisite evidence for potential charges.

    During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 2, the NPP’s Communications Director openly called out the Special Prosecutor. He advised the Special Prosecutor to concentrate on carrying out his responsibilities diligently and refrain from needlessly tarnishing individuals’ reputations.

    “I think the Special Prosecutor has been very untidy with this whole case and getting its lungs filled with the oxygen of public interest in the matter and it’s affecting how it should approach this matter. “

    “He should take less interest in the media and focus on his job.”

    During the same broadcast, Mahama Ayariga, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament representing Bawku Central, also criticized the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), accusing it of negligence in its handling of the case.

    Ayariga pointed out that the OSP had not fully adhered to its statutory obligations, particularly in terms of seeking court confirmation for the seizure and freezing of the former Minister’s accounts.

    “The law says apply for confirmation of the seizure within seven days and I am saying that the Special Prosecutor did not do that. He didn’t do that.”

    “He has been negligent, and he is trying to throw dust into our eyes by issuing this long convoluted statement. The courts are there for everybody so let’s not blame the court.”

    “While the OSP respects the Court’s decision, it disagrees with the decision of the Court. First, the OSP believes that the Court’s computation of the time limitation is, with respect, erroneous.”

    “The OSP searched three (3) private residences associated with Ms. Dapaah over the course of two (2) weeks. The searches and discovery were ongoing during that period. There is little doubt that the OSP filed its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery window is considered.”

    The OSP further clarified that its decision to freeze the accounts was not based on public sentiments as it is purported.

    “The freezing order was not based on public sentiments. Rather, it was based on court processes filed in a criminal matter before the Circuit Court, Accra involving Ms. Dapaah as the complainant. Further, the freezing order was effected to aid the investigation, as required by law, not on the basis of the investigation, as indicated by the Court. Therefore, it cannot be said that the OSP did not carry out proper investigations to warrant the freezing order. The investigation has only commenced, and it is ongoing.”

    The OSP is investigating Madam Dapaah for corruption and corruption-related offences following the revelation that she was keeping more than $1 million in her house.

  • Cecilia Dapaah: Your computation of time limitation is erroneous – OSP tells Court

    Cecilia Dapaah: Your computation of time limitation is erroneous – OSP tells Court

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has expressed its disagreement with the high court’s decision to reject the application for the seizure and freezing of Cecilia Dapaah’s assets.

    The high court’s refusal was based on several grounds, including that the confirmation of the seizure application was submitted beyond the stipulated time frame. Additionally, the court found fault with the OSP’s failure to disclose transaction details related to the accounts in question. Furthermore, the court deemed the freezing order as being motivated by public sentiment rather than a result of proper investigations.

    As a result, the Financial and Economic Division of the Accra High Court has instructed the Office of the Special Prosecutor to return all seized funds from the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.

    The court has provided a seven-day deadline for compliance with this ruling and has refrained from confirming the freezing of her bank accounts and other properties.

    In response to this decision, the OSP has issued a statement acknowledging its respect for the court’s ruling but asserting its disagreement with the court’s conclusions.

    Explaining his disagreement, he said, “First, the OSP believes that the court’s computation of the time limitation is, with respect, erroneous. The OSP searched three (3) private residences associated with Ms. Dapaah over the course of two (2) weeks. The searches and discovery were ongoing during that period. There is little doubt that the OSP filed its application within the statutory window once the search and discovery window is considered.”

    “Second, the seizure by the OSP and the Special Prosecutor’s freezing order was effectuated on the very firm basis of reasonable suspicion that the amounts and bank balances were tainted property as Ms. Dapaah prevaricated as to the source(s) of the amounts she reported stolen from the her residence, the amounts discovered by the OSP in her residence, and the volume of transactions in her bank accounts and investments.”

    The OSP refuted the court’s claim that the actions of the office were triggered by public sentiments.

    “Third, the freezing order was not based on public sentiments. Rather, it was based on court processes filed in a criminal matter before the Circuit court, Accra involving Ms. Dapaah as the complainant.”

    He stressed that the freezing order was effected to aid the investigation, as required by law, not on the basis of the investigation, as indicated by the court.

    “Therefore it cannot be said that the OSP did not carry out proper investigations to warrant the freezing order. The investigation has only commenced and it is ongoing,” he said.

    He assured the general public that he will take “all necessary legal steps to ensure that the seized amounts and the balances in Ms. Dapaah’s accounts and investments are neither concealed, lost, or otherwise dissipated.”

  • Cecilia Dapaah trending on X after court asked OSP to return her seized money

    Cecilia Dapaah trending on X after court asked OSP to return her seized money

    The former minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has taken social media by storm as her name trends on Twitter.

    This comes after an Accra High Court ruling a recent court ruling that directs the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to return funds that were previously seized from her.

    The court, in its directive gave the court a 7-day ultimatum to return the seized money from the former minister.

    This development has sparked conversation on Twitter making her name trend number one, with users expressing a range of opinions and reactions.

    Cecilia Dapaah has been in the news report allegedly stealing $ 1 million, €300,000 and millions of Ghana cedis from her room came into the public.

    After the news broke, Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her office as minister after which the Office of the Prosecutor went into the home of the former minister at Abelemkpe and searched for it as part of their investigation.

    After the search, the OSP seized the monies found to have been stashed in the home of the former minister.

  • OSP ordered to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized cash in 7 days

    OSP ordered to return Cecilia Dapaah’s seized cash in 7 days

    The Accra High Court has ordered the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to expeditiously return seized funds to former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, within a seven-day timeframe, according to reports.

    On August 9, it was reported that the former minister’s cedi and dollar accounts had been frozen by the (OSP) pending further investigations into corruption and corruption-related activities.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is conducting a corruption investigation into Madam Dapaah and related offenses. This inquiry was initiated following the disclosure that she had over $1 million stored in her residence.

    These developments are occurring concurrently with the police and the Attorney General’s efforts to prosecute individuals accused of stealing the alleged funds from the former minister’s home.

    In July 2023, Madam Dapaah attracted considerable attention when the Chronicle Newspaper reported that her domestic staff were facing court charges for purportedly embezzling $1 million, 300,000 euros, as well as several million cedis and personal belongings belonging to the former minister and her husband, all valued at thousands of Ghana Cedis and dollars.

    Following a public outcry, Cecilia Dapaah subsequently resigned from her position she had held for the last five years.

    She noted that she did not want to disrupt the work of the government. She added that she was sure that any investigation would show she had acted with integrity.

    She was subsequently detained by the OSP but later granted bail. On Monday, July 24, 2023, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor conducted a search at the former Minister of Sanitation’s residence.

  • Akufo-Addo has lost interest in issues surrounding his government – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

    Akufo-Addo has lost interest in issues surrounding his government – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

    Former Deputy Minister for Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has stated that President Akufo-Addo exhibits a lack of concern for events within his government.

    According to him, previously, the president used to refute accusations of corruption, but now he disregards them.

    In a Twitter post, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese, stated that Ghanaians are navigating independently, suggesting the nation is on autopilot.

    He criticized President Akufo-Addo, highlighting his apparent lack of concern for developments within his government, a departure from his earlier denial tactics.

    “President Akufo-Addo does not appear to give a toss about anything that happens in his government.”

    “Initially, he would always claim not to be aware. Now, he simply does not care!”

    Kwakye Ofosu’s tweet follows the recent alleged stolen monies from the home of the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah. 

    In July, two domestic workers were brought before a court for purportedly stealing US$1 million, €300,000, and Ghanaian cedis from the former minister’s home.

    Dapaah resigned following calls for her departure to allow investigations.

    The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) conducted a search at Dapaah’s residence after she was questioned about suspected corruption.

    Another individual allegedly connected to the theft was granted bail, bringing the total number of those granted bail to three, including two who were released due to their status as lactating mothers.

  • Cecilia Dapaah: Accused persons expected in court on Tuesday

    Cecilia Dapaah: Accused persons expected in court on Tuesday

    The suspects involved in the theft case at the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah‘s residence are scheduled to appear in court for the second time on Tuesday, August 22.

    This marks their second court appearance since the charge sheet was modified by police prosecutors based on the advice of the Attorney General.

    Eight individuals have been charged so far, accused of theft and conspiracy to steal in connection with the alleged theft of over $1 million and 300,000 Euros from the home of the former Sanitation Minister.

    On August 8, seven of the eight suspects were brought to court, while one is reportedly evading authorities.

    Among the seven arraigned individuals, two who are lactating mothers were granted bail, while the remaining five were remanded in custody.

    The case involves two house helps of the former minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, who are accused of stealing significant sums of money and valuable items from their residence and allegedly sharing the stolen assets with others.

    Cecilia Dapaah resigned from her position as the Minister of Sanitation on July 22, following public outcry.

    On July 24, 2023, officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) arrested the former minister and conducted a search of her home.

    During the search, the OSP reported finding a substantial amount of US$590,000 and GHC2.730,000 in cash. Her seven bank accounts were subsequently frozen by the OSP.

    Background:

    The case came to light on July 21 when it was revealed that two house helps of the Minister were facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis from the former minister’s residence in October 2022.

    The two suspects, Patience Botwe (18 years old) and Sarah Agyei (30 years old), are accused of stealing money and personal items from the couple between July and October 2022.

    They have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and multiple counts of theft involving large sums of money and currency.

    Cecilia Dapaah’s legal team has contested the figures presented in the court document, and there has been significant public outrage in response to the revelations.

  • Cecilia Dapaah’s theft case: Accused persons to appear in court on Tuesday

    Cecilia Dapaah’s theft case: Accused persons to appear in court on Tuesday

    On Tuesday, suspects in the theft case at Cecilia Dapaah’s residence are expected back in court.

    This will be their second appearance since police prosecutors amended the charge sheet on the advice of the Attorney General.

    So far, eight people have been charged with stealing and conspiracy to steal for allegedly stealing over $1 million and 300,000 Euros from the former sanitation minister’s home.

    One of the eight is reportedly on the run, while seven of the eight were brought before a judge on August 8. 

    Due to their status as nursing mothers, two of the seven people who were charged with a crime were granted bail, while the other five were placed on remand. 

    Two house helps of the former minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are before an Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly stealing monies and items running into millions of Ghana Cedis and allegedly sharing the booty with other people.

    Madam Dapaah resigned on July 22 after a public uproar.

    Officials from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on July 24, 2023, placed the former minister under arrest and searched her home.

    The OSP had disclosed that its officers found a substantial sum of US$590,000 and GHC2.730,000 in cash during the search.

    Her seven bank accounts also have been frozen by the OSP.

    Background

    It emerged on Friday, July 21 that two house helps of the Minister were facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing an amount of $1 million, €300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis at the former minister’s residence at Abelenkpe, Accra, in October 2022.

    The two, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei allegedly stole the monies and personal effects of the couple, between the months of July and October 2022.

    Both have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing US$1 million, €300,000 and millions of Ghana cedis.

    The 68-year-old former Minister disputes the figures given in the court document, but the revelations outraged many in Ghana.

    Cecilia Dapaah’s lawyers had contended that the OSP took action to freeze the former minister’s account in response to the media outrage.

  • ‘Many leaders of Africa are already seated in hell’ – Prophet Kofi Oduro reacts to cash in Cecilia Dapaah’s house

    Leader of the Alabaster International Ministry, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has prophesied doom for many leaders in Africa over the recent controversy surrounding former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.

    The former minister has been the talk of town over the huge sums of money found in her residence by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

    This comes after reports that millions of dollars and cedis had been stolen from the residence of the former minister.

    In response to the issue during a sermon on Ngosra TV, a YouTube channel, Prophet Kofi Oduro, condemned the minister for having such an amount of money.

    His sermon primarily focused on the concept of damnation in hell, emphasizing that it would not spare politicians but would also affect ordinary individuals who engage in wrongdoing.

    “We have ministers of state, men and women who are stealing money under their beds, how can you escape the damnation of hell? Many leaders of Africa are already seated in hell. Wicked, cruel people.

    “An old woman 60 something years can gather money in her account. They are freezing accounts and the money in the account, I said I will not say it….” He lamented.

    Prophet Kofi Oduro expressed his disappointment with President Akufo-Addo’s handling of issues, particularly regarding corruption. He cited the president’s past record in addressing corruption before assuming office as a source of concern.

    “I pray for my president everyday, yesterday when I was praying, I asked God, what will Akufo-Addo be remembered for?

    He also expressed concern over the undisclosed amount of money reportedly lying in the homes of many public officers, particularly the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    “If Minister of Sanitation has all this money, can you imagine what Minister of Finance has? Wicked nation, how will you escape the damnation of hell,” he said in connection with the theft of a million dollars and other sums of monies from home of former sanitation minister.

    The minister and her husband are currently under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The OSP has applied to a court to freeze the accounts of the former minister after having searched her residences weeks ago.