Embattled Former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s bank accounts which hold substantial amounts in both dollars and cedis have been frozen.
The action was taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
Although the OSP holds the authority to administratively freeze accounts linked to a person of interest, court approval is necessary to prolong the action.
The hearing to solidify the development is scheduled for next week.
Sources suggest that the former minister’s bank accounts contained millions in US dollars and Ghana cedis.
Officials from the OSP also recovered funds during a search of her residences.
Court documents reveal that the OSP has filed a motion to seize the funds discovered during the residence search.
On Tuesday, August 8, a Circuit Court in Accra remanded five of the seven accused persons in the case.
The court also granted bail to two lactating mothers to the tune of GH¢1 million each with three sureties to be justified.
The two, Patience Botwe, 18, and Sarah Agyei, 30, have been accused of stealing huge sums of money from the residence of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
According to court documents, the monies and other items that were allegedly stolen from Madam Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, took place between the months of July and October 2022.
The other suspects in the case include a current and former boyfriend of Patience, as well as her father, who are reported to have all played various roles.
Background
Two househelps working 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 accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing.
The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022.
During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery 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.
Furthermore, 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.
According to court proceedings, the stolen monies and items belonged to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, taken from their bedroom in their residence.
The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not been taken yet.
The court granted bail to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH¢1 million with two sureties. The sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar. The bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge.
On the other hand, Ms Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, have been remanded into lawful custody.
The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects.
Ms Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple’s room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest.
Further investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items.
This information got Ghanaians talking with many asking CHRAJ, the OSP and the Ghana Police Service to investigate the source of the money.
Subsequently, the Special Prosecutor announced that his office was investigating the matter, starting with the arrest of Madam Cecilia Dapaah.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed the Minister of State at the Presidency and Member of Parliament for Tano North, Freda Prempeh, to take over as Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources since the resignation of Madam Cecilia Dapaah from office.