Lead counsel for accused persons cited in the theft of monies and valuable items from the home of former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah, has criticized the Attorney-General’s office for what he describes as disrespect to the judicial processes.
Lawyer Augustine Gyamfi noted that he expected the A-G’s office to come to court when the case was called on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 to inform the court they wanted to take up the matter rather than direct police prosecution to do so at his behest.
“…I feel if the A-G is desirous, and respects the judicial processes, they should have come to court today to tell the court that we want to take up the matter. However, certain things [sic] are not in place therefore, we need one or two weeks to be able to take up the matter. You don’t sit in your office and you instruct the police prosecutor to tell the court that you want to take it up,” he told journalists after the hearing.
During court proceedings, Police Prosecutor, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye handling the case told the court presided over Afia Owusua Appiah that the Attorney-General would take over the case, hence needed time to put their house in order.
He also revealed that two more suspects had been accosted in Tamale bringing to seven, the total number of accused persons in police custody for stealing.
Lawyer Augustine Gyamfi further described the move by the Attorney-General as a ploy to deny his clients justice.
“Some of these things we see it as some of the gimmicks to deny people of the justice that they need. This matter, there are so many strings here and there and we know it is one of those tactics and ploy to keep the people in the cells.
“I tell you, my clients have not stolen any monies,” he added.
Two former domestic workers of Cecilia Dapaah, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, 18 and 30-year-old respectively, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and five counts of stealing while three others — Benjamin Sowah, Kwaku Botwe, and Malik Dauda have been charged with dishonestly receiving the alleged stolen monies.
Patience and Sarah have been cited as key suspects in the case having been alleged to have stolen monies totaling $1million and personal belongings of the former Minister valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery worth US$95,000 among others.
Patience is also accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to Daniel Osei Kuffuor, the former minister’s husband.