The assets and bank accounts of the embattled former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, both dollars and cedis have been frozen by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
The freezing of these assets and accounts, which contain millions of dollars and Ghana cedis, is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and corruption-related offenses.
According to documents, the Office of the Special Prosecutor has initiated processes to have the administrative freeze confirmed and endorsed by the courts. While the Special Prosecutor has the authority to administratively freeze accounts of individuals under investigation, court confirmation is required to extend the duration of the freeze.
The case to confirm the freezing of Dapaah’s assets and accounts is expected to be heard in court in the coming week. Reportedly, significant amounts of money in both US dollars and Ghana cedis were found in various bank accounts linked to the former minister. Additionally, funds were retrieved during a search of her residences by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has been under scrutiny following an alleged theft that occurred at her residence in Abelemkpe, Accra. Her house helps are accused of stealing over one million dollars and other valuables from her and her husband’s home.
It’s important to note that the investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor is distinct from other investigations being carried out by the police and the Attorney General’s office. The former minister is being investigated for corruption and related offenses by the Special Prosecutor, while other legal authorities are prosecuting individuals accused of stealing money belonging to or owned by Dapaah.
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.