Seven people are facing trial at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a huge amount of money and other valuables from the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a former minister of sanitation and water resources in Ghana.
The accused persons are Patience Botwe, Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowah, Malik Dauda, Christiana Achab, Job Pomary and Yahaya Sumaila.
They are alleged to have stolen $1 million dollars, 300,000 euros and other properties including kente cloths and jewellery from the complainants’ residence. They are also alleged to have gone on an extravagant spending spree with the stolen money, buying houses, cars and other items.
The case has generated public outrage and interest in Ghana, as many people wonder how a government minister could have such a huge amount of money in her house and why she delayed in reporting the theft for seven months. The case has also exposed the corruption and inequality that plague the country’s economy and society.
According to the prosecution led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, Patience Botwe, alias Maabena, is an 18-year-old hairdresser who used to work as a house help for the complainants. She is the main suspect in the case, as she is accused of masterminding the theft and recruiting others to assist her.
Benjamin Sowah
Patience Botwe is also the girlfriend of Benjamin Sowah, a 29-year-old plumber who allegedly helped her to steal and hide the money. Patience and Benjamin were arrested in Tamale, where they had rented a three-bedroom apartment and a storeroom with some of the stolen money. They also bought two cars, a Hyundai Elantra and a Honda Civic, and several household items with the loot.
Sarah Agyei
Sarah Agyei is a 30-year-old unemployed woman who was also a former house help for the complainants. She is accused of being an accomplice to Patience, as she allegedly kept watch of the main gate while Patience entered the complainants’ room to steal their money. She also shared in the spoils and used some of the money to build a three-bedroom house at Budumburam, a suburb of Kasoa. She was arrested from her hideout after Patience mentioned her name during interrogation.
Malik Dauda
Malik Dauda is a 34-year-old unemployed man who was Patience’s former boyfriend. He is accused of receiving GH¢5,000 from Patience and GH¢100,000 from Sarah out of the stolen money. He admitted to receiving the money during interrogation.
Christiana Achab & Job Pomary
Christiana Achab is a trader who is married to Job Pomary, a mechanic. They have a son named Franklin Sarakpo, who is on the run. Christiana is accused of collecting GH¢2,830,000 from Patience, knowing that it was stolen money. She used some of the money to buy an 11-unit chamber and hall self-contain house at Budumburam for herself. She also bought a three-bedroom house at Aplaku for Patience and a four-bedroom house at Kokrobite for herself and her husband. She also gave some of the money to her son Franklin to buy two Honda Acura vehicles.
Yahaya Sumaila
Yahaya Sumaila is an excavator operator who resides at Sagnarigu in Tamale. He is accused of receiving GH¢850,000 from Christiana to buy a three-bedroom house at Amrahia in his name.
Charges
The seven accused persons face 14 counts of conspiracy, stealing and dishonestly receiving. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges and have been granted bail or remanded into custody depending on their circumstances. The court presided over by Her Honour Afia Owusuaa Appiah has adjourned the case to August 22, 2023 for further hearing.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has also taken over the case docket after full investigations are concluded. The Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, has vowed to ensure that justice is served and that all those involved in the theft are prosecuted and punished according to the law.
The complainants, Daniel Osei Kufour and his wife Cecilia Abena Dapaah, have declined to comment on the case publicly. However, sources close to them have revealed that they are shocked and saddened by the betrayal of their former house helps and that they hope to recover their stolen money and properties soon.
The case has attracted widespread attention from the media and the public, as many people are curious about how the theft was carried out and how the accused persons spent the money. Some people have also expressed sympathy for the complainants, while others have criticized them for keeping such a large amount of cash in their house instead of depositing it in a bank or investing it in a productive venture.
The case is expected to resume on August 22, 2023, when the prosecution and the defence will present their evidence and arguments before the court.