Prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has voiced his surprise and disappointment at the comments made by esteemed lawyer Sam Okudzeto concerning the corruption allegations against Cecilia Dapaah, the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources.
He criticized Okudzeto’s remarks, which seemed to defend the former minister, stating that such comments are inappropriate given his stature and should be condemned.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe stressed the crucial need for holding government officials accountable, especially in corruption cases, to maintain transparency and integrity within the system.
“I was surprised that my senior brother Sam Okudzeto came out with a statement concerning the Cecilia Dapaah case. I was really surprised. I know that I’m not annoyed. But I was surprised because if anybody even has a glass, the person should be able to account for it.
“And we have buildings springing up all over their places. Do you want to tell me that they just got there? People put them there. Where did they get their money from? And these are the things that annoy the ordinary people,” he said while speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey.
It is important to note that Sam Okudzeto previously asserted that storing money at home is not illegal, as there are no laws against it.
His defense of Cecilia Dapaah, who is currently under investigation for corruption, has sparked considerable criticism.
Background:
Cecilia Dapaah is under investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for corruption and related offenses after two of her house helps were arrested for allegedly stealing over $1 million, €300,000, and other valuables from her Abelemkpe residence.
An Accra High Court initially ordered the release of Dapaah’s frozen accounts and the return of her confiscated funds. However, on September 5, 2023, the OSP re-froze her accounts.
On August 9, 2023, it was reported that the OSP had frozen the former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources’ assets and bank accounts, which contained substantial amounts in both dollars and cedis.
On October 16, 2023, the OSP lifted the freeze on five of Dapaah’s bank accounts.
The office clarified that while these five accounts have been released, the freeze remains in place on her other bank accounts and financial assets.