Former President John Dramani Mahama has described as outrageous news regarding some millions of dollars and cedis stolen from the home of Water and Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Dapaah.
It has emerged that two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are currently facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a series of thefts that occurred at the minister’s home in Abelemkpe, Accra, between July and October 2022.
The accused are 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei.
Reacting to the news broken by several tabloids, the former President in a tweet on Friday, July 21, questioned the Sanitation Minister’s rationale for keeping such huge amounts of money in her home even it was acquired legally.
“$1m + €300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister’s home? Scandalous!! Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home?” he quizzed.
Owing to this incident, he questioned the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, hinting that the president has failed to set a good example for his public officers.
“Will @NAkufoAddo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration?” he asked.
Millions stolen
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 per a report from The Chronicle.
The accused are said to have also stolen personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including clothes valued at GH¢95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000.
Patience has been accused of going solo in stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH¢90,000 and six sets of men’s suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour.
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.
All five accused appeared before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The court granted Sarah bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, and two sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court’s registrar.
The bail conditions are however subject to review as Judge Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge at the time.
During her briefing, Judge Susana Ekuful disclosed that Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. However, Sarah, being a breastfeeding mother, was granted bail.
The prosecution revealed that Patience, also known as Maabena, had previously worked as a house help for the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Similarly, Sarah had also served as a house help for the couple.
The alleged thefts came to light in June of the current year when the complainants reported the incidents to the police after discovering missing cash and personal belongings.
Patience was caught red-handed as she had used a duplicate key to open and enter the couple’s room. Mr. Kuffour apprehended her upon returning home, having noticed that the room was unlocked and hearing suspicious noises from inside.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of the stolen items and money in possession of Patience and her associates.
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.
The court has adjourned the case to August 2, 2023, to allow for further investigations.